Hofstra University Athletics

HOFSTRA HOSTS TOWSON AND DELAWARE IN FINAL WEEKEND OF REGULAR SEASON

11/10/2009 12:00:00 PM

Hempstead, NY - The Hofstra Volleyball team will close the regular season with a pair of home contests this weekend as the Pride will host longtime rivals Towson and Delaware.

The Tigers come to the Physical Fitness Center on Friday at 7 p.m., while the two-time defending conference champion Blue Hens visit Hempstead for a Sunday matinee at 1 p.m.

Hofstra is ending the regular season on the right note as the Pride has won two straight and four of its last five matches to improve to 12-18 overall and 6-6 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play.

The Pride's strong play as of late has kept it in contention for the final spot in the CAA Championship, which will be hosted by Delaware or Virginia Commonwealth. Should Hofstra, William & Mary and Northeastern tie or Hofstra and just William & Mary tie in the standings at the close of the regular season then the Pride would advance to the conference tournament. The first tiebreaker, amongst the three teams, is based upon each team's record against the tied teams. Hofstra is 2-1 against William & Mary and Northeastern, while the Tribe is 1-1 (against HU and NU) and the Huskies are 1-2 (against HU and W&M). In the head-to-head tiebreaker with William & Mary, Hofstra's 3-2 win over the Tribe on October 24 would give the Pride the advantage.

Hofstra won back-to-back conference matches for the first time this season as the Pride defeated Georgia State and UNC Wilmington this past weekend. Making her first two starts at setter, junior setter Rachel August led the Pride's offense as she dished out 89 assists (11.12 a/s) and added 23 digs defensively. She notched a career-high 44 assists against GSU, before upping that career-best with 45 versus UNCW. August was named the CAA Offensive Player of the Week for her efforts. Senior outside hitter Monica Knight finished the week with 39 kills (4.88 k/s) on a .274 attack percentage and also topped the team with 29 digs (3.62 d/s). Freshman libero Kylee Maneja continued her strong play and was second on the team with 28 digs in the Prides' two matches, while redshirt freshman middle blocker Carolyn Jenkins led the team at the net with 12 blocks.

Knight has been Hofstra's top offensive threat all season as the California native has posted a team-best 434 kills this season, while ranking second on the team with 355 digs. Maneja leads Hofstra with 408 digs in her first season in a Pride uniform, while junior middle blocker Anissa Whitney leads Hofstra in hitting percentage (.221) and blocks (100) and is second on the team with 219 kills.

Print Friendly Version