HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Presbyterian College volleyball team is set to begin their 2024 campaign at the LD&B Insurance Invitational, hosted by James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, from August 30 to September 1.
 
The Blue Hose kick off their season on Friday at 4:00 p.m. against the Stony Brook Seawolves. They'll then face the Delaware State Hornets at the same time on Saturday. The team will conclude the tournament on Sunday at noon with a matchup against the host school, the James Madison Dukes.
 
Presbyterian's 2024 roster features a blend of experience and fresh talent, with 10 returning players and seven newcomers. The team earned its highest-ever ranking in the Big South Preseason Poll, as the league's coaches selected them to finish third.
 
GAMEDAY INFO – FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 | 4:00 PM
MATCHUP - Presbyterian vs Stony Brook
LIVE STATS – StatBroadcast
 
GAMEDAY INFO – SATURDAY, AUGUST 31 | 4:00 PM
MATCHUP - Presbyterian vs Delaware State
LIVE STATS – StatBroadcast
 
GAMEDAY INFO – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 | 12:00 PM
MATCHUP - Presbyterian at James Madison
LIVE STATS – StatBroadcast
LISTEN – JMUSports.com
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – STONY BROOK
- Stony Brook wrapped up the 2023 season with a 17-14 overall record, including an 11-7 mark against Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) opponents.
- The Seawolves were picked to finish fifth in the CAA's preseason poll, with fifth-years setter Torri Henry and outside hitter Leoni Kunz earning spots on the All-CAA preseason team.
- Last season, outside hitter Keli Moore led the team with 354 kills, closely followed by Kunz with 320. Henry paced the offense with 1,188 assists.
- Friday's match will be the first meeting between Presbyterian and Stony Brook since the Blue Hose joined Division I.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – DELAWARE STATE
- Delaware State finished the 2023 season with a 17-13 overall record, including a 9-5 mark in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play.
- The Hornets were picked third in the MEAC Preseason Poll, with graduate student opposite Alondra Maldonado and senior middle blocker Kelsie Dawson earning spots on the league's Preseason All-MEAC Team. Maldonado led the team with 321 kills (2.89 k/s), while Dawson recorded 99 blocks (0.88 blk/s).
- Saturday's match will be the second meeting between the two teams since PC moved to Division I. In 2017, the Blue Hose defeated the Hornets in three sets.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – JAMES MADISON
- James Madison posted a 21-10 record last fall, including a 12-4 mark in the Sun Belt Conference (SBC). The Dukes advanced to the conference championship but fell to Coastal Carolina in the title match.
- The Dukes were picked first in the Sun Belt's East Division Preseason Poll for the second consecutive year. Redshirt senior outside hitter Miëtte Veldman, who led the team with 427 kills in 2023, was named to the league's preseason team. Sophomore setter Rebecca Watkins led the team with 845 assists last season.
- Sunday's match will be the third meeting between the two teams since the Blue Hose transitioned to Division I. The Dukes claimed victory in the last matchup in 2013, winning in five sets. The all-time series between the two teams is tied at one win apiece.
 
2023 BLUE HOSE RECAP
- The Blue Hose return 10 players from last year's squad, including senior outside hitter Hannah Rowe and junior setter Anna Baranski.
Rowe led the team last season with 2.7 K/S and 3.14 PTS/S, while Baranski topped the assists column with 439 (4.88 A/S).
- Five returning players logged at least 75 sets played in 2023, led by junior libero/defensive specialist Courtney Aulbaugh, who played in 100 sets.
- Presbyterian finished the 2023 season with a 7-7 record in Big South Conference play, securing fourth place and a spot in the Big South Conference Championships. Their season ended in the semifinals after a hard-fought loss to the No. 1 seeded High Point Panthers.