WASHINGTON - After an undefeated opening weekend and celebrating head coach
Barry Goldberg's 800th career victory, the American University volleyball team is back in action this weekend at home in Bender Arena. The Eagles (3-0) will host UMBC (1-2) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, and will host Delaware (1-2) at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3.
QUICK INFO
- Dates/Times: Friday, Sept. 2 vs. UMBC (7:30 p.m.) & Saturday, Sept. 3 vs. Delaware (4 p.m.)
- Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena)
- Ticket Info: AUEagles.com/Tickets
- TV: ESPN+
- Talent: Dan Laing (pxp), Sam Danai (analyst)
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
- In the all-time series histories, American leads UMBC 21-3 and leads Delaware 7-3.
- The Eagles played UMBC almost exactly a year ago on Sept. 7, 2021 at home, and beat the Retrievers in four sets. Junior Allie Burke posted a career-high 12 blocks in that victory, just one shy of the school record.
- It has been 11 years since the Eagles and Blue Hens last faced each other, and that match came in the NCAA First Round on Dec. 2, 2011. Delaware won in four sets to end AU's season.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN
- Hall of Famer Barry Goldberg recorded the 800th win of his career when the Eagles beat GW in four sets on Saturday, Aug. 27. Goldberg is the fourth-winningest coach among all active head coaches in NCAA Division I, and the 17th coach in Division I history to reach the 800-win plateau.
- AU has dropped just one set so far in three strong wins to start the 2022 season. Leading the way is Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year Zeynep Uzen with a league-leading 5.10 kills per set.
- Uzen led the Eagles and ranked third in the PL with 4.10 kills per set as a junior. Her 525 total kills ranked seventh in NCAA Division I, while her 583.5 total points ranked 10th.
- The Eagles have experience on their side this season with 10 upperclassmen on a roster of 15 student-athletes.
- Joining Uzen on the Preseason All-League Team was graduate student and middle blocker Carlie Fikse, a PL Second Team pick in 2021.
- Fikse started in all 33 matches last season, and led the league with a hitting pct. of .336. Her 246 kills ranked second on the team, as did her 116 blocks.
- The Eagles won 16 of 19 PL titles through the 2019 season, but have now gone one shortened COVID season and one regular season without returning to the NCAA Tournament.
SCOUTING UMBC
- UMBC started the season at the Cardinal and Gold Classic hosted by USC, defeating Villanova 3-1 before falling 3-0 to #24 USC and 3-0 to 2021 Patriot League champion Colgate.
- The Retrievers, picked to win the America East this season, went 19-12 in 2021 including a perfect 12-0 mark in America East play. They won their second straight America East title and fell to #3 Pitt in the NCAA First Round.
- First year head coach Kasey Crider's squad is led by sophomore Mia Bilusic, last year's America East Rookie of the Year who totaled a league-best 408 kills in 2021 (3.74 kps).
- Junior Aysia Miller was the Spring 2021 America East Setter of the Year who shifted to starting outside hitter early last season and eventually earned a spot on the America East All-Championship Team. This season, Miller has moved to starting libero.
- All-Rookie selection Mila Ilieva returns to the middle, as does Spring 2021 America East All-Championship Team honoree Michela De Marzi, who missed all of last season due to injury.
SCOUTING DELAWARE
- Delaware is coming off its first win, beating George Washington in straight sets on Wednesday.
- The Blue Hens started the season 0-2 after falling to Temple (Aug. 26) in five sets in the season opener and dropping a 3-1 decision to Seton Hall (Aug. 27) as part of Temple's 2022 Hilton Philadelphia at Penn's Landing Cherry and White Challenge.
- With their impressive performances at the tournament, Eileen Gex and Savannah Seemans were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
- The Blue Hens returned five starters, including first team All-CAA selection Lani Mason and second team All-CAA honorees Ezgi Basaranlar and Lauryn Richardson.
- First-year head coach Kimberly Lambert's peers selected the Blue Hens to finish fourth in the conference with 68 points, as part of the 2022 CAA Preseason Coaches' Poll.
- Mason earned a spot on the Preseason All-CAA Team while Basaranlar earned an honorable mention nod.
SEASON & SINGLE-MATCH TICKETS ON SALE NOW
- Season tickets as well as individual match tickets to all home contests to be played inside Bender Arena this season are on sale now via AUeagles.com/Tickets.
- Save over 70% percent off by purchasing a season ticket pass.
- 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.
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