Temple University Athletics
Friday, September 21
McGonigle Hall
7:00 PM
Temple University
vs
Rhode Island
Dancers performing at Volleyball's 2011 80's Night
Photo by: Mitchell Leff
Volleyball Hosts Rhode Island and Fordham for A-10 Opening Weekend; Theme is 80's Night and Saturday Night Fever
9.19.12 | Women's Volleyball
PHILADELPHIA - Temple volleyball is looking to start its Atlantic 10 schedule in memorable fashion both on and off the court this weekend. The Owls (10-4) will host Rhode Island (4-8) in their conference opener on Friday, Sept. 21 at 7:00 p.m., and they invite fans to join in on theme nights this weekend featuring The 80's/Saturday Night Fever.
There will be 80's music to dance to as well as an 80's dress up contest at Friday night's match. Fans are encouraged to dress up for the 80's and come join in the fun.
Temple will continue the theme weekend on Saturday night, Sept. 22 against Fordham (8-10) at 7:00 p.m. Both games will have live stats available HERE, and live webcasts available to subscribers HERE.
TEMPLE NOTES
With a 10-4 overall record, Temple is enjoying its best start to a season since 2002, a year which saw the Owls go 29-7, win the A-10 and advance to the NCAA Sweet 16. There has been individual success as well, as the Owls have earned eight All-Tournament awards so far.
Senior libero Chelsea Tupuola was named the MVP of both the Temple Invitational and the Big 5 Tournament. She was also named Best Libero at the Temple Invitational, and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Miami (OH) Invitational. With 5.42 digs per set, Tupuola by far is averaging the most digs of all players in the Atlantic 10. Nationally, she is currently ranked 22nd in Division I.
Elyse Burkert, who earned Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 10, was named to All-Tournament Teams at Miami and South Carolina. Burkert's numbers have not only been impressive within the conference, but with 4.35 kills per set she currently ranks 22nd among all players in NCAA Division I.
Sophomore setter Tiffany Connatser, who was named to the Big 5 All-Tournament Team, has averaged 11.69 assists per set which ranks 15th in NCAA Division I and second in the A-10.
Junior outside hitter Gabriella Matautia is second on the team with 3.77 kills per set, and senior outside hitter Jingyu Zhang (2.14 kpg) was named Best Spiker at the Temple Invitational.
As a team, the Owls are averaging 17.71 digs per set which ranks 17th among all teams in Division I.
SCOUTING RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island is 4-8 overall heading into the A-10 season, and the Rams have lost four in a row inlcuding three of three at last weekend's Columbia Invitational. They took Hofstra to five sets, lost to Columbia in three and to Colgate in four. Rhode Island went 15-15 in 2011, including a 7-8 record in the conference which had them finishing in sixth place.
Three of the Rams are averging over 2.00 kills per set, led by junior outside hitter Britta Baarstad with 2.96 kills per set. The head coach of the Rams, Bob Schneck, is in his 31st season with a record of 526-426-2.
SCOUTING FORDHAM
Fordham comes into the weekend at 8-10 overall, and will play at La Salle on Friday before facing Temple on Saturday. The Rams started the season 0-6, but have done well recently and won four of their last five. Fordham swept the competition to win the Bucknell Invitational last weekend, but most recently dropped a five-set match at Hofstra on Sept. 18. Junior outside hitter Lisa Hipp leads the Rams offensively with 3.36 kills per set, and junior libero Maria Rodenberg leads the team on defense with 3.01 digs per set. Rodenberg has also served up 27 aces this season which is the most among A-10 players.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
All-time, the Rhode Island Rams lead the Owls 28-19. The teams split last season, with each winning on its home court.
Temple leads the Fordham Rams 29-6 in the all-time series, but Fordham has won the last four meetings between the teams. The Owls lost in both of last year's meetings by scores of 3-1.
There will be 80's music to dance to as well as an 80's dress up contest at Friday night's match. Fans are encouraged to dress up for the 80's and come join in the fun.
Temple will continue the theme weekend on Saturday night, Sept. 22 against Fordham (8-10) at 7:00 p.m. Both games will have live stats available HERE, and live webcasts available to subscribers HERE.
TEMPLE NOTES
With a 10-4 overall record, Temple is enjoying its best start to a season since 2002, a year which saw the Owls go 29-7, win the A-10 and advance to the NCAA Sweet 16. There has been individual success as well, as the Owls have earned eight All-Tournament awards so far.
Senior libero Chelsea Tupuola was named the MVP of both the Temple Invitational and the Big 5 Tournament. She was also named Best Libero at the Temple Invitational, and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the Miami (OH) Invitational. With 5.42 digs per set, Tupuola by far is averaging the most digs of all players in the Atlantic 10. Nationally, she is currently ranked 22nd in Division I.
Elyse Burkert, who earned Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 10, was named to All-Tournament Teams at Miami and South Carolina. Burkert's numbers have not only been impressive within the conference, but with 4.35 kills per set she currently ranks 22nd among all players in NCAA Division I.
Sophomore setter Tiffany Connatser, who was named to the Big 5 All-Tournament Team, has averaged 11.69 assists per set which ranks 15th in NCAA Division I and second in the A-10.
Junior outside hitter Gabriella Matautia is second on the team with 3.77 kills per set, and senior outside hitter Jingyu Zhang (2.14 kpg) was named Best Spiker at the Temple Invitational.
As a team, the Owls are averaging 17.71 digs per set which ranks 17th among all teams in Division I.
SCOUTING RHODE ISLAND
Rhode Island is 4-8 overall heading into the A-10 season, and the Rams have lost four in a row inlcuding three of three at last weekend's Columbia Invitational. They took Hofstra to five sets, lost to Columbia in three and to Colgate in four. Rhode Island went 15-15 in 2011, including a 7-8 record in the conference which had them finishing in sixth place.
Three of the Rams are averging over 2.00 kills per set, led by junior outside hitter Britta Baarstad with 2.96 kills per set. The head coach of the Rams, Bob Schneck, is in his 31st season with a record of 526-426-2.
SCOUTING FORDHAM
Fordham comes into the weekend at 8-10 overall, and will play at La Salle on Friday before facing Temple on Saturday. The Rams started the season 0-6, but have done well recently and won four of their last five. Fordham swept the competition to win the Bucknell Invitational last weekend, but most recently dropped a five-set match at Hofstra on Sept. 18. Junior outside hitter Lisa Hipp leads the Rams offensively with 3.36 kills per set, and junior libero Maria Rodenberg leads the team on defense with 3.01 digs per set. Rodenberg has also served up 27 aces this season which is the most among A-10 players.
ALL-TIME SERIES RECORDS
All-time, the Rhode Island Rams lead the Owls 28-19. The teams split last season, with each winning on its home court.
Temple leads the Fordham Rams 29-6 in the all-time series, but Fordham has won the last four meetings between the teams. The Owls lost in both of last year's meetings by scores of 3-1.
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