SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Presbyterian College volleyball team is gearing up for a competitive weekend at the Wofford Invitational, hosted by the Wofford Terriers in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on September 6-7. On Sunday, September 8 the team will host the Temple Owls as their home opener.
 
The Blue Hose will kick off the tournament on Friday with a doubleheader, starting at 12:30 p.m. against the Campbell Fighting Camels, a familiar opponent from their Big South days. Presbyterian will then face the Queens Royals at 4:30 p.m., aiming to capitalize on momentum from the earlier match. The tournament will wrap up for the Blue Hose on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. with a showdown against the host team, Wofford Terriers. After Presbyterian returns to Clinton, they will host their home opener against the Temple Owls on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
 
GAMEDAY INFO – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 | 12:30 PM
MATCHUP – Presbyterian vs Campbell
LIVE STATS – Sidearmstats
 
GAMEDAY INFO – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 | 4:30 PM
MATCHUP – Presbyterian vs Queens
LIVE STATS – Sidearmstats
 
GAMEDAY INFO – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 | 2:30 PM
MATCHUP – Presbyterian at Wofford
WATCH – ESPN+
LIVE STATS – Sidearmstats
 
GAMEDAY INFO – SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 | 2:00 PM
MATCHUP – Presbyterian vs Temple
WATCH – ESPN+
LIVE STATS – Statbroadcast
 
A LOOK AT THE BLUE HOSE
- The Blue Hose return from their recent tournament at James Madison with a 1-2 record, highlighted by a hard-fought five-set victory over Delaware State.
- Offensively, sophomore outside hitter Julia Yurkovich has been a standout, leading the team with 28 kills (2.15 kills per set). Close behind is sophomore opposite Courtney Williams with 27 kills (2.08 kills per set).
- Anna Baranski, who earned a spot on the LD&B Insurance Invitational All-Tournament Team, has been instrumental in leading the Blue Hose's offense. With 89 assists (6.85 assists per set), she has demonstrated exceptional skill in directing the team's attack and setting up scoring opportunities.
- Defensively, Williams also stands out with 18 total blocks, including two solo blocks, anchoring the team's front line.
- Senior outside hitter Hannah Rowe leads the team with 38 digs (3.17 digs per set), demonstrating her ability to keep plays alive. Baranski is also a key defensive contributor, with 36 digs (2.77 digs per set), complementing Rowe's efforts.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – CAMPBELL
- The Fighting Camels opened their 2024 season at the Baylor Classic, where they struggled to find their rhythm, finishing with a 0-3 record. They fell in straight sets to both Tulsa and Baylor and dropped a four-set match to Abilene Christian.
- Offensively, juniors Abbie Tuyo and Gwen Wolkow have emerged as the primary hitters for Campbell, each tallying 22 kills (2.20 kills per set) through the first three matches of the season.
- Junior setter Maddie Converse has been the key playmaker, leading the team with 31 assists (3.10 assists per set). Sophomore Ashley Artura has also contributed significantly with 28 assists (2.80 assists per set), adding depth to the team's setting options.
- On the defensive end, freshman middle blocker Hailey Heytvelt has made an immediate impact, leading the Fighting Camels with 10 total blocks, including three solo blocks.
- Campbell is guided by veteran head coach Greg Goral, who is in his 12th season at the helm.
- Friday's match will be the 23rd meeting between Presbyterian and Campbell since the Blue Hose transitioned to Division I. The two teams last faced off during the 2022 season when Campbell, still a member of the Big South Conference, secured victories in both matchups, winning 3-1 and 3-0. Campbell leads the all-time series between the two teams 15-7.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – QUEENS
- The Royals began their 2024 campaign at the UNC Wilmington Tournament, where they struggled to secure a win, finishing with a 0-3 record. They were swept in straight sets by East Carolina and UNC Wilmington and lost a hard-fought four-set match against Loyola Maryland.
- On offense, senior right-side hitter Alleigh Johnson has been the standout performer, leading the Royals with 26 kills (2.89 kills per set). Senior outside hitter Jordyn Johnson closely follows with 23 kills (2.30 kills per set), providing a strong attacking duo for Queens.
- Freshman setter Marlee Cook has quickly established herself as the team's primary playmaker, dishing out 57 assists (7.13 assists per set) in her debut tournament.
- Defensively, senior middle blocker Kayla McDuffie has anchored the front line, leading the team with five total blocks, including two solo efforts.
- Queens is led by head coach Hannah Long, who is in her ninth season guiding the Royals.
- Although Queens visited Clinton for an exhibition match against the Blue Hose prior to the 2023 season, Friday's matchup will mark the first regular-season meeting between these two teams since Presbyterian transitioned to Division I.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – WOFFORD
- The Terriers began their 2024 season at the War Eagle Invitational, where they posted a 1-2 record. They battled hard in four-set matches against Georgia Southern and Auburn but ultimately fell short in both. However, Wofford claimed a five-set victory over North Alabama.
- Leading the offensive charge is senior right-side hitter Sarah MacLean, who has racked up 41 kills (3.15 kills per set) across the first three matches, establishing herself as the team's go-to attacker.
- Sophomore setter Taylor Pecht has been pivotal in orchestrating the offense, leading the team with 80 assists (6.15 assists per set). Freshman Maddy Frazier has also made her mark, contributing 52 assists (4.00 assists per set), adding depth to Wofford's playmaking options.
- On the defensive front, junior middle blocker Annemarie Rakoski stands out with 11 total blocks, including one solo block. Freshman middle blocker Bradley Brown is close behind with 10 total blocks, including three solo blocks, demonstrating Wofford's strength at the net.
- The Terriers are under the leadership of head coach Lynze Roos, who is in her 10th season at the helm of Wofford volleyball.
- Saturday's matchup will be the 11th meeting between Presbyterian and Wofford since the Blue Hose joined Division I. The two teams last met during the 2023 season, where Wofford secured a straight-set victory. The Terriers currently hold an 8-2 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT – TEMPLE
- The Owls kicked off their season at the Cherry and White Invitational, posting a 3-1 record. They secured straight-set victories over Radford and FDU, and a 3-1 win against Rider. Their only loss came against No. 7 Penn State, where they fell 3-0.
- Offensively, graduate student outside hitter Taylor Davenport has been dominant, leading the team with 53 kills (4.08 kills per set), establishing herself as a key player in Temple's attack.
- Sophomore setter Lexi Yoza has been the primary playmaker, amassing 79 assists (6.08 assists per set). Sophomore Ava Blascziek has also been effective, adding 62 assists (4.77 assists per set), providing Temple with multiple setting options.
- On defense, senior middle blocker Chelci Banks has been a force at the net, leading the team with 10 total blocks, including four solo efforts.
- The Owls are guided by second-year head coach Linda Hampton-Keith.
- This will be the first meeting between the Blue Hose and Temple since Presbyterian joined Division I.
 
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.