WASHINGTON - For a second year in a row, the American University volleyball team will host a Patriot League Tournament quarterfinal in Bender Arena. The third-seeded Eagles (20-8, 10-6) are set to take on sixth-seeded Lehigh (15-12, 8-8) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The winner will advance to Friday's semifinals, hosted by regular-season champion Colgate.
Patriot League Tournament History
- The Eagles have appeared in every Patriot League Tournament since joining the League in 2001. Until 2022, American had never missed out on advancing to the PL Tournament semifinals.
- Last year, in 2023, the Eagles beat Loyola Maryland in straight sets in a home quarterfinal, swept Army in the semifinals, and lost 3-0 to Colgate in the title match.
- The PL Tournament expanded to six teams in 2019, and the 2021 season marked AU's first appearance in one of the quarterfinal matches. The Eagles won that match in 2021 against Loyola Maryland and ultimately advanced to the championship.
- In 2022, the Eagles were on the road for a quarterfinal at Navy and lost in four sets.
- The Eagles won 16 of 19 PL titles through the 2019 season. After a PL semifinal loss to Colgate in the shortened 2020-21 season, American did appear back in the championship match in 2021 but lost to Colgate, 3-1.
Special Hospitality Offerings
- As debuted with the new wrestling and basketball seasons, AU Athletics is excited to introduce a new gameday hospitality offering that will also be available for the volleyball match on Tuesday.
- In addition to the concessions menu from Gregorio's Trattoria, fans can partake in a hospitality offering on the mezzanine featuring fun game day snacks and beverages, including a selection of beer, wine, and seltzers for purchase.
- Fans must be 21 years old to enter, and food and beverages must remain in the hospitality area.
- Come join us on the mezzanine level for some great volleyball, and your favorite food and drink.
Inside the Series
- The all-time series against Lehigh has American leading 42-8. The Eagles had won nine in a row dating back to 2018 until this past Saturday, when the Mountain Hawks prevailed in five sets.
- Previously, the Mountain Hawks had last defeated AU on Nov. 6, 2018.
- 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 followed a seven-match win streak with a four-match losing streak to close out the regular season, falling in their most recent two matches in five sets each.
- 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.
- Freshman outside hitter Zedo Yilmaz was named the 2024 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, in addition to earning PL First Team honors. Yilmaz set a new program record with six Patriot League Rookie of the Week honors this season.
- Joining Yilmaz on the All-Patriot League First Team are senior setter Esma Sipahi, and senior middle blocker Lilou Stegeman.
- Sipahi, the 2023 PL Setter of the Year and 2024 PL Preseason Setter of the Year, ranks sixth all-time in program history with 2,951 assists. Stegeman ranks third in the PL with a hitting percentage of .337, and fifth in blocks per set at 1.13.
- The Eagles won a total of 10 PL weekly honors, tying their all-time record of 10 in 2008 and 2010.
- 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 3.91 points per set and ranks fifth with 3.34 kills per set.
- Three freshmen are regulars in the starting lineup for AU. In addition to Yilmaz and Elise Sterling, who have started in every match, Bella Marrero (3.19 digs per set) earned the starting libero spot after the first few weeks of the season.
Single Match Ticket Information
- Adult: $10
- Youth (4-14)/Senior (65+) : $7
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