WASHINGTON - Two key Patriot League matches are coming to Bender Arena this weekend as American University volleyball gets set to host league-leading Colgate (16-4, 8-1) on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., and Army West Point (11-8, 7-2) on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. The match on Saturday is designated as AU's "Pink Out" night, with a goal of raising awareness and money for metastatic breast cancer research.

QUICK INFO 

• Dates/Times: Friday, Oct. 21 vs. Colgate (7 p.m.) & Saturday, Oct. 22 vs. Army West Point (5 p.m.)
• Team Records: American (12-8, 4-4), Colgate (16-4, 8-1), Army West Point (11-8, 7-2)
• Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena) 
• Ticket Info: AUEagles.com/Tickets
• TV: ESPN+ 
• Talent: Sam Danai, Kristen Largay

SATURDAY'S PINK OUT FOR BREAST CANCER

• All fans are encouraged to wear pink to Saturday's 5 p.m. match as we raise awareness and funds for metastatic breast cancer research and treatments to benefit the Side Out Foundation.
• A limited amount of commemorative Bender Pink Out t-shirts will be available for purchase in the Bender Arena lobby beginning at 4 p.m., while supplies last.
• Use the online coupon code PINK22 at checkout of AUeagles.com/Tickets to purchase discounted tickets for just $3 each (regularly $8)!
• This special ticket offer is valid for online advance sale only, and is not available the day of the event at the box office.

ENHANCED CONCESSIONS AT BENDER ARENA 

• AU Athletics has partnered with Gregorio's Trattoria to provide an enhanced concessions menu for all home volleyball matches this season in Bender Arena.
• Fans can enjoy Gregorio's favorites including menu selections of pizza, Italian sausage and peppers, hot and cold sub sandwiches and wraps, chicken fingers, hot dogs, chips, desserts and more, as well as a full selection of refreshing Pepsi products.
• Credit cards are accepted.
• NO outside food or beverages are permitted into Bender Arena. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

• The all-time series between AU and Colgate has the Eagles leading 43-9, but the Raiders have won the last five matches between the two teams.
• American fell 3-0 in both regular season matches to Colgate in 2021, and lost 3-1 to the Raiders in the Patriot League Championship match.
• The all-time series between AU and Army has the Eagles leading 44-9.
• The last three matches between AU and Army have all gone to five sets. The Eagles lost a two-set lead to the Black Knights in the 2022 Patriot League season opener on Sept. 16, and the teams split five-set matches in 2021.
• When the Eagles last won the Patriot League Championship, it was by virtue of a 3-1 home win vs. Army in 2019.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN

• The Eagles are looking to turn things around as they begin the second half of Patriot League play after going 4-4 so far.
• AU has dealt with a rash of injuries, including to Preseason Player of the Year Zeynep Uzen who has not played since the first set vs. Bucknell on Oct. 1.
• American is 8-2 at home, most recently falling in straight sets to Howard on Oct. 12. The Eagles have had a much-needed break, not having a match since that defeat.
• Uzen, who leads AU and ranks second in the PL with 4.15 kills per set, currently has 1,105 kills to rank 11th all-time in program history.
• Senior Onuchi Ndee is fifth in the PL with 0.94 blocks per set, graduate student Carlie Fikse is sixth in the PL with a hitting percentage of .295, and junior Maya Mrus is sixth with 0.35 aces per set.
• Head coach Barry Goldberg, featured this week in the Washington Post, has 809 wins in his 34th season and ranks fourth among active D1 coaches.

SCOUTING COLGATE

• With a Patriot League record of 8-1, defending conference champion Colgate leads the league yet again this season.
• The Raiders have won three straight since their only PL loss, a 3-1 defeat at Navy on Oct. 7.
• The Raiders have done it without All-PL First Team selection Libby Overmyer, who has not played since the team's fifth match on Sept. 2.
• Graduate student Julia Kurowski is a two-time Patriot League Setter of the Year and earned the preseason honor this fall. Kurowski is averaging 5.30 assists per set.
• In Overmyer's absence, sophomore Abby Shadwick leads the team with 3.03 kills per set. Junior libero Taylor Cigna is averaging 3.90 digs per set to rank fifth in the Patriot League.
• For the second time this season, freshman outside hitter Carlie Rzeszotarski was named the PL Rookie of the Week after wins over Navy and Binghamton last week.

SCOUTING ARMY WEST POINT

• Army went 1-5 to start the season but has turned things around since then, and the Black Knights come into the weekend as winners of three of their last four matches. They'll play at Navy on Friday night before facing American on Saturday.
• Army finished the 2021 season with a record of 17-9, including an 11-5 record in conference matches. The Black Knights finished third in the league in kills per set (12.38) and blocks per set (2.14). In the 2021 season, Army held opposing teams to an average .168 hitting percentage.
• Junior middle blocker Paige Fixemer, who ranks 10th in the PL with 2.99 kills per set, was named to the Patriot League Preseason All-League Team for the second consecutive year. She led last year's team in kills (277) and blocks (101.0), and was named to the 2021 All-Patriot League First Team.
• Diana Ethridge ranks second in the PL with 9.89 assists per set, and Sayler Butters ranks third in the PL with 4.77 digs per set.

SEASON & SINGLE-MATCH TICKETS ON SALE 

• Season tickets as well as individual match tickets to all home contests are on sale via AUeagles.com/Tickets. 
• Group tickets are also available for advance purchase for teams and groups of 10+ by calling (202) 885-TIXX.
• Transitioning To Mobile Tickets - Pre-Purchase Tickets at AUeagles.com.
• This season, AU Athletics will be transitioning to digital contactless e-tickets for the health and safety of our entire AU community and to further advance AU's sustainability and zero waste commitments. Digital tickets give fans more control in the management of tickets including the ability to forward/share ticket(s) with friends and family. You may either present digital tickets on a smart phone device or download and pre-print ticket(s) at home with a valid QR code to be scanned on entry to our venues. Thank you for your help and cooperation.

HOW TO WATCH ESPN+ 

• A subscription to ESPN+ is available for purchase via ESPN.com, ESPNPlus.com, or the ESPN App. Fans can access ESPN+ content only after they have subscribed. To subscribe, click here. It costs $69.99/month or $99.99/year. 

KEEP UP WITH US

• For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Volleyball), Facebook (/AU.Volleyball) and Instagram (@au_volleyball).