Volleyball Update

[Dane Pound]

Here's the latest volleyball update email from Coach Sheffield:

 

Hello Friends, Family, and Alumni of UAlbany Volleyball!

 

UAlbany Volleyball had another great week as we closed out our

non-conference schedule with a win at Syracuse and a home win against Iona.

The Syracuse win represented another win against a regionally ranked team

and a 3-0 sweep against teams from the Big East conference. This match was

a battle from the beginning as Syracuse jumped out to a 27-18 lead in game

one. The team continued to fight and made a great comeback to win game one

34-32. The 15-12 win in game 5 marked the first ever UAlbany win over

Syracuse and only the fourth loss the home team has had in that gym in the

last three years.

 

Here's what senior setter, Jill Dombrowski, had to say about the match:

 

"It was incredible going into Syracuse as the underdog and beating them on

their home court for the first time in our program's history.

Things are really turning around for this program. It's going to be amazing

to see how far this team will go, not only this year, but I feel we'll be a

powerhouse in years to come.

Although Syracuse was a HUGE win and confidence booster for our team, our

main focus is to win the conference. This was a stepping stone, and we're

all still hungry to win a conference championship on our home court."

 

On Friday night, we played our third home match of the season against Iona.

The team played well all night and dominated the match in three. The match

marked the first collegiate start for freshman Ashley Crenshaw, who had

three kills and a couple of blocks. Setters Blair Buchanan and Jill

Dombrowski did a terrific job running the offense. The .384 hitting

percentage marked the fifth time (and third home match) that the team hit

over .300. Outside hitters, sophomore Ashley DeNeal (18 kills, .359 hitting

%), and sophomore Shelby Goldman (13 kills, .480 hitting %) were

particularly effective.

 

Junior Eileen Nicole Rodriguez continues her pursuit towards the NCAA record

books. Her four aces last week leaves her 19 away. At her current pace,

this should happen sometime in the next couple of weeks. To follow the

countdown if you are unable to attend the matches, feel free to check the

UAlbany web-site at www.albany.edu/sports or the newly formed UAlbany fan

web-site at www.bigpurplefans.com. The week also saw Buchanan rack up her

second conference setter of the week award.

 

I'd like to thank everyone who has come out and supported us. Each home

match has seen an increase in attendance and has made it a difficult place

for opponents to come in and play. Hopefully that trend will continue as we

start conference play this week.

 

Tues. BINGHAMTON 7:00pm

Fri. @ Hartford 7:00pm

Sat. @ Northeastern 7:00 pm

 

 

As always, we look forward to seeing you in the stands!

 

Thanks for your support!

 

 

GO DANES!!!

 

Kelly Sheffield

UAlbany Volleyball

[DaneFan2k3]

Humorous that he throws Dombrowski a bone since she got bumped from the prime time rotation in favor of setter of the week Buchanan. At least she still looks good.

[UAalum72]

Wins last week over Syracuse and Iona...and Albany's ranking drops to 109.

[Dane Pound]

Wins last week over Syracuse and Iona...and Albany's ranking drops to 109.

Playing those stinking Big East schools is really bringing our ranking down