WASHINGTON - One match Friday night and two more on Saturday are on tap for American University volleyball this weekend as the Eagles (5-0) look to extend their season-opening win streak. After hosting Hampton at 5 p.m. on Sept. 6, American will host Alabama A&M at 11 a.m. on Sept. 7 before finishing the weekend against Maryland at 5 p.m. for the annual Bender Blue-Out. All fans are asked to wear blue to the match. AU is attempting to break the all-time Washington, D.C. NCAA single-match attendance record of 2,837 fans set at a Bender Blue-Out in 2018.
AU Student Promotions
- AU students are encouraged to arrive early to the Bender Blue-Out contest on Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. when doors open to get the best seats behind the team benches.
- Students can enjoy the exclusive pre-game AU student Blue Crew fanfest where they can pick up their brand new 2024-25 AU Blue Crew t-shirt and membership card, enjoy a refreshing smoothie from Robeks Juice, Smoothies and Bowls of Tenleytown, as well as enter two great raffles to win a $500 gift card to Wegmans Tenleytown City Ridge or airpods from the Student and Traditions Board.
- The Student and Traditions Board will also be assisting with face-painting and sign-making to students hyped for the big match.
Concessions at Bender Arena
Throughout the 2024 volleyball season, Gregorio's Trattoria will once again be providing food concessions at all home volleyball matches in Bender Arena.
- Fans can enjoy Gregorio's favorites including menu selections of pizza, chicken fingers, hot dogs, chips, desserts and more, as well as a full selection of refreshing Pepsi products.
- Credit cards and EagleBuck$ are accepted.
- NO outside food or beverages are permitted into Bender Arena.
Parking
- If overflow parking is needed, fans can use either the Katzen Arts Center garage on Massachusetts Ave. (main AU entrance) or the SIS garage off of Nebraska Ave.
- Parking is free in all campus garages on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays.
Inside the Series
- The Eagles are 2-0 against Hampton, and 0-8 against Maryland. They'll be facing the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M for the first time in program history.
- The previous meetings against Hampton were in 1992 and 2010, with AU winning by scores of 3-1 and 3-0, respectively.
- It has been 12 years since American and Maryland last faced each other, with the Terps winning 3-0 on Oct. 23, 2012. The most recent meeting prior to that was in 2005.
What to Know About American
- Through five matches, American is unbeaten and has swept three of its opponents—George Mason, Georgetown, and Coppin State. The Eagles need one more win to match the 2022 team's 6-0 start.
- Freshman outside hitter Zedo Yilmaz, whose full name is Zeynep Doga Yilmaz, is picking up right where 2023 PL Player of the Year Zeynep Uzen left off. Yilmaz is the Patriot League's Rookie of the Week after posting a league-leading 4.0 kills per set through the opening weekend and recording two double-doubles.
- American is leading the Patriot League in points per set (16.88), hitting percentage (.291), assists per set (13.06), and kills per set (13.76). Senior middle blocker Lilou Stegeman leads the team and ranks third in the PL in hitting percentage (.382) and ranks seventh in blocks per set (0.88).
- It's a very young group that takes the court for the Eagles in 2024 under second-year head coach Ahen Kim, with seven freshmen and five sophomores among the total roster number of 16.
- American returned just three seniors and one junior, led by 2023 Patriot League Setter of the Year Esma Sipahi who is back for her final season. Sipahi was picked as the 2024 Preseason Setter of the Year in the Patriot League, and was named to the Preseason All-League Team.
- The only other fourth-year Eagle is libero Bridget Javitch, who ranked fourth in the Patriot League with 4.42 digs per set last year.
- The team has a large international presence with three student-athletes from Turkey, two from Hungary and one from Sweden.
Volleyball Season Tickets Available Today
- Support your 16-time Patriot League Champion with exciting match-ups against Maryland, Howard and George Mason!
- Tickets are $30 for adult, $20 for youth (3-14) and senior (65+) for all 15 home matches.
- Purchase your tickets today at AUEagles.com/tickets or call (202) 885-2617
Host Your Group Outing in the Bender Arena Skybox
- This private luxury seating space seats 30 guests with a balcony view of the game.The space features comfortable leather seats, two cable TVs and complimentary snacks and soft drinks.Single-match rentals are priced at $350. Additional catering is also available.
- Call (202) 885-2617 or email Clawed@american.edu to check skybox availability.
Single Match Ticket Information
- Adult: $8
- Youth (3-14)/Senior (65+) : $5
- Military and Veterans : Free (must present a valid ID)
How to Watch the Eagles
- A subscription to ESPN+ is available for purchase via ESPN.com, or the ESPN App. Fans can access ESPN+ content only after they have subscribed. To subscribe, click here. It costs $10.99/month or $109.99/year.
- International fans can get a subscription through the Patriot League's International Live Streaming site.
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