WASHINGTON - Three seniors who have been major contributors for American University volleyball in their careers—
Bridget Javitch,
Esma Sipahi, and
Lilou Stegeman—will be honored on Saturday, Nov. 12 as the Eagles host Lehigh at 2 p.m. in the final match of the regular season. It will be the first of two back-to-back meetings against the Mountain Hawks, who will come back to AU for a Patriot League Tournament quarterfinal on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Senior Day
- Four-year defensive specialist and libero Bridget Javitch has played in a remarkable 386 sets for American.
- Javitch's 1,152 digs rank sixth all-time in program history, while her 2.98 digs per set rank fifth all-time.
- The 2023 Patriot League Setter of the Year and 2024 Preseason Patriot League Setter of the Year, Esma Sipahi has started in every match of the past two seasons.
- Her 2,899 assists rank sixth all-time at American, and she's closing in on over 1,000 assists for a second season in a row.
- Sipahi was an All-Patriot League First Team honoree as a junior, and is a two-time Patriot League Player of the Week selection this season.
- One of the top middle blockers in the Patriot League, Lilou Stegeman has had a breakout season, ranking second in the league in hitting percentage and fifth in blocks per set.
- She has twice posted 10 blocks this season, and was named the Gregorio's Student-Athlete of the Week in mid-September.
Concessions at Bender Arena
- Gregorio's Trattoria is providing food concessions at all home volleyball matches in Bender Arena.
- Fans can enjoy Gregorio's favorites including menu selections of pizza, chicken fingers, hot dogs, chips, desserts and more, as well as a full selection of refreshing Pepsi products.
- Credit cards and EagleBuck$ are accepted.
- NO outside food or beverages are permitted into Bender Arena.
Inside the Series
- The all-time series against Lehigh has American leading 42-7, with the Eagles winning nine in a row dating back to 2018.
- The Mountain Hawks last defeated AU on Nov. 6, 2018, beating the Eagles in straight sets in DC.
- On October 11 of this season, Lehigh took the first set on its home court, but AU won two extra-points sets and then took set four by a decisive score of 25-17.
What to Know About American
- The Eagles have locked up third place in the Patriot League standings at 10-5, and it has already been determined that they'll host Saturday's opponent, Lehigh, again in a PL quarterfinal next Tuesday, Nov. 19.
- The next American win will be the 100th victory in head coach Ahen Kim's career. He has 40 wins at AU, and brought in 59 wins from his four active seasons at Brown.
- American has lost three straight, on the heels of winning seven in a row. AU earned a thrilling, five-set victory against Colgate on Oct. 26. It was the second straight year the Eagles beat the Raiders at home.
- The Eagles also hosted a PL quarterfinal a year ago, defeating Loyola Maryland in straight sets and dispatching Army in straight sets in the semifinals as well. The host team for the semis and final, Colgate, earned a straight-set win over AU in the championship match for its third straight PL title.
- Freshman outside hitter Zedo Yilmaz has set a new program record with six Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors already this season. She averaged 4.17 kills per set and 2.17 digs per set at Lafayette and Bucknell for her sixth honor on Nov. 5.
- For the second time this season, AU swept the Patriot League Weekly Awards on Oct. 29. Senior setter Esma Sipahi was named the PL Player of the Week for a second time, while Yilmaz was PL Rookie of the Week for a fifth time before her latest honor. The Eagles have won a total of 10 PL weekly honors so far, tying their all-time record of 10 in 2008 and 2010.
- Sipahi, the 2023 PL Setter of the Year and 2024 PL Preseason Setter of the Year, passed the 2,000-assist milestone in a win vs. UC Riverside on Aug. 31, and now ranks sixth all-time in program history with 2,899 assists.
- Yilmaz is a freshman who doesn't play like one. To go with her six Rookie of the Week honors, Yilmaz ranks second in the PL with 4.00 points per set and ranks third with 3.39 kills per set.
- Three freshmen are now regulars in the starting lineup for AU. In addition to Yilmaz and Elise Sterling, who have started in every match, Bella Marrero (3.16 digs per set) earned the starting libero spot after the first few weeks of the season.
Single Match Ticket Information
- Adult: $8
- Youth (3-14)/Senior (65+) : $5
- Military and Veterans : Free (must present a valid ID)
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