The American University volleyball team will put its 17-match winning streak on the line this weekend when it travels north for a pair of matches against Holy Cross and Army. The Eagles will play at Holy Cross on Friday, November 5 at 7:00 p.m. before taking on the Black Knights at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 6.
American (23-2, 10-0) has not lost a set since September 25, when they defeated Colgate 3-1. The Eagles have won 17 straight matches, their longest winning streak since recording 19 straight victories in 2006 en route to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Their .299 hitting percentage ranks fourth in the NCAA while their 2.03 service aces per set is good for fourth in the country. American also ranks fourth in the NCAA with a .920 winning percentage and 16th with 14.24 kills per set.
The Eagles have been fueled by the strong play of Magdalena Tekiel, who leads the conference in hitting percentage (.362), kills (3.85 kps) and service aces (0.42 sas), while also averaging 2.23 digs and 0.67 blocks per set. With a 13-kill performance at Navy last weekend, the senior has surpassed 300 kills on the season. Classmate Angelina Waterman has also had an outstanding all-around season, averaging 3.74 kps, 2.66 dps, 0.58 bps and a .279 hitting percentage. Sophomore Bianca Richardson ranks third in the conference with 0.95 bps and has also notched 1.94 kps and 0.35 sas on the season. Alexandra Hammer and Krysta Cicala have effectively facilitated the attack, averaging 10.54 aps and 9.46 aps, respectively.
Holy Cross (11-18, 3-7) has lost four of its last five matches, including a five-set defeat at home against Army on Saturday. Sophomore Megan Lynch leads the conference with 389 kills this season and ranks among the best attackers in Crusader history, having recorded double-digit kills in 23 of 29 matches. Senior Angela Chisolm leads the team with 3.56 dps while classmate Chelsey O'Donnell's 8.82 aps are third in the Patriot League.
The Crusaders are 0-20 all-time against American. Earlier this season, Tekiel powered the Eagles to a straight set victory over Holy Cross by set scores of 25-13, 25-15 and 25-16.
Army (16-11, 9-1) joined American as the only two teams to clinch berths in the Patriot League Tournament with a five-set victory over Holy Cross on Saturday. Sophomore Ariana Mankus leads the Black Knights with 3.38 kps, which ranks fourth in the conference. Classmate Francine Vasquez is second on the squad with 2.57 kps and is coming off a strong performance against the Crusaders in which she had 22 kills, 14 digs and a .327 hitting percentage.
The Eagles are 22-5 all-time against Army, including a 3-0 victory earlier this season. American holds a one-match lead over the Black Knights in the conference standings, and a win could clinch the Eagles their ninth Patriot League Regular Season Championship and home court advantage in the tournament.
To follow Saturday's match between the Eagles and the Black Knights, click here for live stats or here for a live broadcast courtesy of ITT Knight Vision.
