ANDERSON, S.C. – On the heels of a pair of preseason matchups, the Anderson volleyball team is set to open the 2023 season with four matches this weekend in their first-ever appearance in the in the Fairmont State Classic.
The Trojans are slated to square off against four unfamiliar teams from four separate conferences in a span of just more than 25 hours on Friday and Saturday. AU will square off against Elizabeth City State, host Fairmont State and Ursuline for the first time in program history and will be facing Slippery Rock for the first time since the 2006 season.
TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
Admission is free to Fairmont State volleyball matches.
WHO: Anderson Trojans (0-0) vs. Elizabeth City State (0-0)
WHERE: Feaster Center - Joe Retton Arena (Dan Cava Court); Fairmont, W.V.
WHEN: Friday, 1 p.m.
WHO: Anderson Trojans (0-0) vs. Fairmont State (0-0)
WHERE: Feaster Center - Joe Retton Arena (Dan Cava Court); Fairmont, W.V.
WHEN: Friday, 5 p.m.
WHO: Anderson Trojans (0-0) vs. Ursuline (0-0)
WHERE: Feaster Center - Joe Retton Arena (Dan Cava Court); Fairmont, W.V.
WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m.
WHO: Anderson Trojans (0-0) vs. Slippery Rock (0-0)
WHERE: Feaster Center - Joe Retton Arena (Dan Cava Court); Fairmont, W.V.
WHEN: Saturday, 2 p.m.
COVERAGE
Live Stats: AUTROJANS.COM
Video: AUTROJANS.COM
The Trojans
The Trojans will open the season on the road for the 11th time in 12 years before returning to the Electric City to host South Atlantic Conference-rival Newberry in the league-opener for both teams on Tuesday, Sept. 5.
After making an appearance in the SAC Tournament for the 11th consecutive year and reaching the 20+ win plateau for the fifth straight season last fall, AU was picked to finished third in the 2023 SAC Preseason Coaches' Poll two weeks ago, with veterans Jaelyn Grimm, Rylie Sargent and Lindsay McCurley each garnering Preseason All-SAC recognition.
The Trojans have averaged more than 24 victories a season over the last five campaigns after posting a 21-8 overall mark, including a 13-5 league record in 2022. Last season, Head Coach Todd Hay led the Trojans to their fifth consecutive 20+ win season, and their eighth overall appearance in the NCAA Southeast Region Tournament.
Hay has the unenviable task of trying to replace All-Americans Noelle Knutsen and Madison Roy, along with veterans Alexandra Petrilli, Liliana Kinder and Megan Harding, but the 2023 campaign will be far from a rebuilding year, as the Trojan roster features 14 returning letterwinners, including eight upperclassmen who each saw action in more than half of AU's matches a year ago.
Elizabeth City State
The Vikings won the 2022 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament and finished last season with a stellar 26-9 mark after falling to top-seeded Gannon in the first round of the NCAA's Atlantic Regional. ECSU posted a 16-1 mark in CIAA action, with its only loss coming on the road at Shaw in late October.
The Series vs. Elizabeth City State
The Trojans and Vikings will be meeting for the first time in program history.
Fairmont State
Including a 13-4 mark in Mountain East Conference action, the host Falcons posted their highest winning percentage in program history (.829) after notching a 29-6 record and an appearance in the NCAA's Atlantic Regional a season ago.
The Series vs. Fairmont State
AU will also be seeing the Falcons for the first time in school history.
Ursuline
The Arrows posted an overall 3-25 record last season, which included a 1-17 mark in Great Midwest Athletic Conference action.
The Series vs. Ursuline
Saturday morning's contest will mark the first meeting between AU and the Arrows.
Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock won four of its final five outings and six of its last eight decisions last season en route to a 14-16 overall record, including an 8-8 mark in the PSAC West. The win total marked the second-most victories for the program since 2012 while the 8-8 conference record marked the first time SRU finished the season with a .500 or better winning percentage in league competition since 2006.
With 15 returning letterwinners, SRU was picked to finish fifth in the Western Division of the 17-team Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Standout libero Kate Lachendro returns for her senior season after ranking 11th in the nation in digs per set (5.38) and 20th in total digs (586).
The Series vs. Slippery Rock
The Trojans wrap up their visit to the Mountain State State by squaring off against Slippery Rock for just the fourth time in program history and the first time the 2006 season.
AU will be seeking its first win in four meetings against The Rock, with SRU claiming wins over the Black and Gold during the 2001, 2005 and 2006 campaigns.
