WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – William & Mary volleyball (5-2, 0-0 CAA) closes out its non-conference schedule on the road at the Bobcat Invitational in Athens, Ohio, with three weekend matches against NC State (5-1, 0-0 ACC), UTEP (4-1, 0-0 CUSA) and host Ohio University (4-2, 0-0 MAC).
All three matches will be available for streaming on ESPN+ and live stats will be broadcast for each event.
Strong Start
Sweeping the Bucknell Invitational last weekend with wins over Bucknell (3-1), Cornell (3-2) and Niagara (3-0), the Tribe have posted a 5-2 record to begin the 2023 season. This marks the best seven-match start for W&M since its 18-win 2009 season. They have won against all four neutral site opponents this year, with the potential to add two more this weekend.
Defensive Domination
Olivia Esposito was named CAA co-Defensive Player of the Week following her dominant performance at the Bucknell Invitational. Along with a weekend sweep, Esposito returned home with all-tournament honors. She is nationally ranked in the top 35 in three individual statistics - total blocks (No. 19, 33), blocks per set (No. 20, 1.5) and hitting percentage (No. 34, .442).
"She is hungry and eager to get better," Head Coach
Ryan Adams said about the sophomore, "Olivia has solidified herself as a contributor to our offensive and defensive front."
All-Tournament Teams
Setter
Emma Minnick joined Esposito on the Bucknell Invitational All-Tournament Team after her 60-assist, 26-dig weekend. She was setting at a .390 clip and recorded a pair of aces, playing in all three matches.
The previous weekend at the Mountaineer Classic, libero
Lindsay Kahren and outside hitter
Taylor Burrell earned all-tournament honors in the team's two-win opening weekend. With individual contributions coming from a multitude of players, the Tribe is continuing to show off the depth of their lineup.
On A National Scale
After two weeks, the Tribe is ranked top-50 nationally in five statistics - attacks (No. 11, 956), blocks (No. 17, 62.0), aces (No. 26, 48), kills (No. 31, 327) and assists (No. 35, 299). W&M is also ranked nationally in digs at No. 66 with 356 and it clocks in at No. 67 in opponent hitting percentage with a .162 clip.
Head-to-Head History - NC State
The Tribe trail NC State all-time by two matches, 7-9. Their previous meeting in 2014, was the most recent of five consecutive wins in straight sets between the two teams. Of the last 10 meetings, eight have been three-set sweeps - half of them W&M wins.
Their history spans back to Sept. 1979 in Williamsburg, Virginia. All but three matches have been played at one of the teams' home sites, each of the three neutral-site meetings ending as NC State victories. Playing in Washington, D.C., and Kansas City, Missouri, the Tribe will face the Wolfpack in Ohio for the first time.
Fresh Faces
W&M takes on two new opponents at the Bobcat Invitational, facing both UTEP and Ohio for the first time in program history.
Fast Forward
The Tribe will host their home opening weekend with a pair of matches against Charleston to kick off conference play on September 16
th (2 p.m.) and 17
th (2 p.m.).
The matches will be the first events hosted in Kaplan Arena since it has undergone renovations, featuring a new video board, sound system and lighting throughout the facility.
