WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — William & Mary volleyball has its home and CAA opener this weekend as it plays two matches against Stony Brook. Friday's match will get underway at 5 p.m. from Kaplan Arena, with Saturday's contest scheduled for a 1 p.m. first serve.
Both matches will be streamed on FloCollege. Live stats are available on TribeAthletics.com along with live updates from @WMTribeVB on X/Twitter and Instagram.
PARKING INFORMATION
Football parking will be in effect for Saturday's match. Both the black and purple lots will be reserved. Fans can pay to park in the general lot using the Passport Parking app. See the parking map
here for more information.
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Furthering its commitment to a first class and secure environment at home athletic events, William & Mary will implement the use of walk-through metal detectors at the entrances to athletic venues (both ticketed and non-ticketed events) beginning in the fall of 2025. This enhanced security method mirrors standard practice at most major professional and intercollegiate athletic events throughout the country and compliments the Clear Bag Policy already in place. Fans will proceed through metal detectors prior to having their tickets scanned or entering a venue for non-tickets events. Entrants will not need to remove items such as belts, cell phones, coins, jackets, jewelry, watches, wallets, shoes or other small objects. If additional screening is necessary, security staff will ask the individual to proceed to a secondary screening area, where they will be asked to divest themselves of certain items and pass through again until clear.
LAST TIME OUT
W&M salvaged a win at the Mountaineer Classic in Boone, N.C. on Sunday, taking down North Florida 3-1 behind a career-high 24 kills from Audrey Brcka. Cate Hatfield added a career-high 45 assists and 17 digs for a double-double, while Katherine Arnason chipped in 14 kills and 13 digs as the Tribe wrapped up non-conference play.
LAYING BRICKS
Brcka's 24 kills against North Florida are the most by any CAA player this season and the most by a Tribe player since Kate Dedrick had 25 against Elon on Feb. 26, 2021. Brcka hit a white-hot .442 in the match as she was named to the Mountaineer Classic All-Tournament team.
STUFFING THE STAT SHEET
Olivia Westfort recorded eight blocks in the Tribe's win over ETSU, including three solo. That is the most blocks by any CAA player in a three-set match this season. So far, the sophomore ranks third in the CAA and 53rd nationally in hitting percentage at .394.
FIRST WIN FOR COACH
William & Mary defeated Virginia Tech in five sets on opening day to secure the first career win for head coach Kellie Catanach Johnson. It marked the Tribe's first victory over a Power Four opponent since 2016, and its first win over the Hokies since 2000.
CRAFTED BY CATE
Hatfield poured in a career-high 44 assists against Virginia Tech in just her second career start. It was the most assists by a Tribe player since Amy Schwem recorded 46 against Elon on Oct. 31, 2021. Hatfield leads the CAA in assists with 318.
CAREER MILESTONE
Brcka reached the 500-kill mark for her career against Virginia Tech, delivering a match-high 18 kills. So far, the senior captain leads the Tribe in kills (70) and points (82.0).
PRESEASON LAURELS
Two Tribe players earned preseason recognition from the league as senior opposite hitter Katherine Arnason earned Preseason All-CAA honors while graduate libero Avery Horejsi was an honorable mention selection.
Arnason had 250 kills last season which ranked second on the team. She averaged 2.53 kills per set while racking up 76.0 blocks and 298.0 points. The Marine on St. Croix, Minn. native also posted a .234 hitting percentage.
Horejsi had a highly productive first season in Williamsburg, finishing third in the CAA in digs (455) and digs per set (4.60). Both figures rank second-most in a single season during the modern scoring era (2008-present).
It marks the fourth straight year the Tribe has had representation on the Preseason All-CAA squad, equaling the program's longest streak set from 2008-11.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
Stony Brook comes into the weekend with a 6-4 record and has won its last two matches. Redshirt junior outside hitter Ella Sanders is the team's leader in kills with 122. Sophomore Damisi Osibodu leads the CAA with 47 blocks and 1.31 blocks per set.
The two teams split the series last year in Stony Brook, N.Y. and have split all 10 meetings in the series history dating back to 1984.
FOLLOW TRIBE VOLLEYBALL
Fans can keep up with the Tribe by following @WMTribeVB on X/Twitter and Instagram.
