FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

College of Charleston Volleyball News

August 25, 2022

Contact | Whitney Noble, Associate Director of Athletics Communications & Creative Content

Office Phone | 843.953.3683 | E-Mail | [log in to unmask]

 

CHARLESTON HOSTS COFC CLASSIC TO OPEN 2022 CAMPAIGN

 

CofC Classic Tournament Central // TD Arena Clear Bag Policy // Visitors Guide

 

CHARLESTON, S.C. --- The nets have been strung, volleyballs are inflated to perfection and jerseys hang ready to greet a new season as the College of Charleston volleyball team prepares to welcome Fresno State, Rutgers and The Citadel to TD Arena for the CofC Classic to open the 2022 campaign on Friday afternoon.

 

The Cougars welcome eight seniors and one junior back into the fold to lead a deep and talented roster. Charleston posted a 16-12 overall record and ranked among the top-35 nationally in aces (195) and aces per set (1.74) last season while earning the No. 3 see in the 2021 CAA Championship.

Seniors Claire Campbell, Gabi Bailey and Lexi Wierzbicki combined for more than 60 percent of the Cougars' kills last season and are expected to account for many of the swings in the middle and at the pins this season. Wierzbicki received Preseason All-CAA recognition after pacing Charleston's attack with 3.03 kills per set and 339 total kills.

 

Seniors Tori Carpenter, Logan Pope, Emma Falk, Caroline Pender and Cat Schmid will be counted on to provide key contributions as well as veteran leadership for the Cougars this season, while junior Sofie Vogel is expected to fill an important role at the net after posting 46 kills and 13 blocks in limited action last fall.

 

Sophomore setters Emma Appleman and Jasmine Goei return after strong debuts in 2021 each averaging over 5.6 assists per set each while adding 27 combined service aces. Anna Smith also put together a solid rookie season with 98 kills and eight service aces in just 18 matches.

 

Coach Kepner and the Cougars welcome a promising quartet of newcomers this season in freshmen Olivia Mae Van Der Werff, Bella Sinacori, Avery Alexander and redshirt freshman transfer Brynn Whitehair while bringing back sophomores Chandler Manusky, Tynley Smeltzer and Kaylyn Collins to round out a talented and versatile roster.

Charleston will play a full 29-match schedule this fall including a quarter of non-conference tournaments (two at home, one at Georgia and one at Charleston Southern) before embarking on a 16-contest slate against CAA competition beginning in late September.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

·         Fresno State posted a 12-14 record and 8-10 in the Mountain West in 2021. The Bulldogs are led by interim head coach Abbie Wright, who enters the 2022 campaign after taking over on May 20 after the last five seasons at Division-II Seattle Pacific. Fresno State looks to replace their top-three hitters from last season with senior Grace Doyle as the expected leader on the attack. Friday's season opener will be the first meeting between the two programs.

·         Rutgers compiled an 8-21 record last season dropping all 20 matches inside Big Ten play. Caitlin Schweihofer enters her third season leading the Scarlet Knights after being named head coach ahead of the shortened 2020 season. Saturday's matchup between the Cougars and Scarlet Knights will be the second all-time with Rutgers taking the lone meeting in the 1997 season.

·         The Citadel finished the 2021 slate with an 14-12 record and 7-9 mark in SoCon play but swept through the conference tournament to win the Southern Conference Championship and claim the Bulldogs' first conference title by a women's sport in school history. Head coach Dave Zelenock carries a 46-73 into his fifth season at the helm and will look to 2021 SoCon Freshman of the Year Ali Ruffin to lead the way after recording 291 kills, 276 digs, 28 service aces, 25 assists and 32 blocks.

QUOTABLE

"I am so excited to start this season. We have had an outstanding preseason and I know this group is ready for Friday at 12pm. We have really challenged ourselves this first weekend with two very physical and talented teams as well as the defending Southern Conference champions. I can’t wait to see the team step up to this weekend’s challenge." - head coach Jason Kepner

 

FAN INFO

• Admission is free of charge for all College of Charleston volleyball matches at TD Arena.
• Gates will open one hour prior to first serve of the opening match each day.
• College of Charleston's clear bag policy is in effect for all matches played at TD Arena this fall. The full policy can be found here.
• There is no designated general parking area for games at TD Arena. There are various parking garages and paid lots in the vicinity of TD Arena that all spectators can utilize.
• Alcohol will be available for purchase at all CofC volleyball matches this fall with last call prior to the third set of the final match each day.

 

-www.CofCSports.com-