WASHINGTON - The American University volleyball team has one non-conference match remaining before the start of Patriot League play, and will host Morgan State in that contest at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14 in Bender Arena. The Eagles then begin their PL slate on the road this weekend at Army West Point and Colgate.
QUICK INFO
- Date/Time: Wednesday, Sept. 14 vs. Morgan State (7 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
- American has never lost to Morgan State in 27 previous meetings.
- The two teams last met on Oct. 17, 2018 in Baltimore with the Eagles claiming a 3-0 victory.
- Morgan State last visited American on Sept. 5, 2017, also a 3-0 win by American.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN
- Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year Zeynep Uzen, who ranks second in the PL with 4.32 kills per set, is just six kills away from reaching the 1,000-kill milestone in her career. She will be the 15th in program history to achieve the feat.
- After a 6-0 start, the Eagles are coming off a tough weekend at Pittsburgh's Panther Invitational that saw them lose three times in straight sets. Wednesday's match vs. Morgan State is the last before Patriot League play begins this weekend.
- Hall of Famer Barry Goldberg recorded the 800th win of his career when the Eagles beat GW in four sets on Aug. 27. Goldberg, the fourth-winningest coach among all active head coaches in NCAA Division I, was honored with a commemorative game ball prior to AU's home match on Sept. 2.
- 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.
- Senior Rachael Bennett posted a career-high 31 digs in the Eagles' four-set win at Coppin State, and ranks fourth in the PL with 4.06 digs per set.
- 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 MORGAN STATE
- Morgan State dropped three matches last weekend at the Akron Invitational and is still looking for its first win after going 0-10 to start the season.
- Makila Billingsley was named to the Charlotte Invitational All-Tournament Team (Aug. 27) after leading the team in kills with 2.67 per set, while totaling 24 kills, six digs and adding three blocks in three starts over the weekend.
- Morgan State is playing its first 14 contests, all of which are non-conference, away from its home court in Hill Field House. Morgan State won't play in front of the home crowd until Sept. 23 when it welcomes North Carolina Central for the MEAC and home opener.
- Morgan State is under the new leadership of head coach Xiomara Ortiz who became the seventh coach in program history, taking over for Ramona Riley-Bozier, who during her 34-year career captured nine MEAC regular season titles, four outright MEAC Tournament titles, and guided the Bears to three NCAA Tournament appearances.
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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