WASHINGTON, D.C.– After solidifying its spot in first place in the Patriot League with a four-set victory over Loyola Maryland, the American University volleyball team plays host to two more PL foes this weekend when Holy Cross and Colgate come to Bender Arena.

The Eagles, now 9-9 overall and 4-0 in the league, face Holy Cross on Friday at 7 p.m. and Colgate on Saturday at 4 p.m.

On Friday, the Eagles will host their annual Bender Pink Out match. In conjunction with Beta Theta Pi and Sigma Kappa, AU Athletics will host the event in honor of the fight against breast cancer. The team will wear pink warmup shirts, which will also be available for sale in the Bender Arena lobby.

SCOUTING AMERICAN

• The Eagles have won four straight and five of their last six to reach a 9-9 record overall. AU has a one-game lead over Lehigh, Navy and Colgate, who are tied for second place. American's lone loss in the six-match stretch was a 3-1 defeat to No. 5 Penn State.

• Aleksandra Kazala and Helena Elbaek led the Eagles' offense with 18 and 16 kills, respectively. Over four PL matches, they have 58 and 54 kills. Kazala has four double-doubles in her last six matches.

• Senior setter Kennedy Etheridge leads the Patriot League with a 9.88 assists-per-set average. She has become one of the best all-around players on the team, being third in service aces, second in digs and second in blocks.

• Senior middle Loren McKenzie ranks third in the league with a .358 hitting percentage and fourth at 1.11 blocks per set.

• Three of the sets against Loyola Maryland on Wednesday went past 25 points, with AU winning two of those three. The Eagles are 5-5 in matches that go into overtime.

SCOUTING HOLY CROSS (Friday, 7 p.m.)

• Holy Cross is in fifth place in the Patriot League with a 2-2 mark. The Crusaders have beaten Colgate and Bucknell but lost at Army and at home against Lehigh in their last outing. Both losses in the PL have been five-set decisions.

• Holy Cross comes into the weekend with a 3-14 record. They started the season on an eight-match losing streak and dropped 12 of their first 13.

• Freshman outside Regan Wright leads the Patriot League with 32 service aces.

• Sohomore Sophie VanSeveren is second in the league in digs with 4.32 per set. 

• Three Crusaders – freshman Johnna Shamley (2.38), sophomore Katie Kerins (2.29) and Wright (2.08) – lead the offense by averaging more than two kills per set.

SCOUTING COLGATE (Saturday, 4 p.m.)

• The Raiders are one of three teams tied for second place in the PL coming into the weekend. They face a Friday-night matchup with one of those 3-1 teams when they play Navy.

• Colgate is 8-8 overall after posting three-set sweeps at Army West Point, at home against Lafayette and Bucknell. The Raiders went 18-11 last season and played in the National Invitational Volleyball Classic in the postseason.

• Sophomore Alli Lowe leads the Colgate offense, averaging 3.16 kills per set. Junior Alex Stein is just behind at 2.74 kps.

• The Raiders are directed by a freshman setter, with Julia Kurkowski ranking second in the PL at 9.16 assists per set.

• Senior middle Jaelah Hutchison leads Colgate at 1.05 blocks per set.

NEXT UP

American is at home again Saturday to face Colgate at 4 p.m.

The Eagles face a Tuesday-night matchup at Lehigh next week before a match at home Friday, Oct. 12 against Army West Point at 7 p.m.

TICKETS

Tickets to all AU volleyball matches at Bender Arena are available throughout the season.

• Bring a group of 10+ and save over 40 percent off your purchase, available at $3 per person
• Individual game tickets are available for $8 for adults, $5 for general admission, youth under 17 and seniors over 65. Military members, veterans and AU students are invited to join the Eagles for free admission with valid ID.
• CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS 
• For inquiries, e-mail clawed@american.edu or call 202.885.TIXX (8499).

For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter @AU_Volleyball.