POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 29, 2015) – The Vassar College women's volleyball team concludes its 2015 season on Saturday afternoon, heading to Waltham, MA to take on host Brandeis University and Babson College in non-conference play. The Brewers will be looking to get over .500 with a pair of wins on Saturday, following Wednesday evening's loss to New Paltz at home in three games.

Match Details
Opponent: at Babson College (22-8, 7-3 NEWMAC)
Links: (Babson Women's Volleyball Homepage) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Waltham, MA
Facility: Auerbach Arena
Date: October 31, 2015
Time: 12 p.m.
Live Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)

Opponent: at Brandeis University (5-22, 0-7 UAA)
Links: (Brandeis Women's Volleyball Homepage) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Waltham, MA
Facility: Auerbach Arena
Date: October 31, 2015
Time: 2 p.m.
Live Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)

What To Look For
The Brewers will be looking to get over .500 with a pair of wins, which would mark the ninth time in the last 11 years that VC has finished at or above .500. The Brewers will take on two very strong teams in Brandeis and Babson College, but matches that they could take if they play well and get into system. The Brewers have gone 8-2 this season when posting a hitting percentage .150 or better, proving that when the offense is clicking the Brewers are tough to beat thanks to the great back row defense and solid serving.

A Look At The Beavers (22-8, 7-3 NEWMAC)
Babson College comes into Saturday's matches with Vassar and Brandeis having a very strong season, posting a 22-8 record along with a 7-3 mark within the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference. The Beavers have won four of their last five matches, including taking a straight set victory over Wheaton College Tuesday evening. The Beavers are a strong all-around team, as they are second in the NEWMAC in aces with 276 this season, posting the third-most kills on the year with 1,221. BC's defense at the net has been strong, chalking up 205 total blocks, second most in the league.

Outside hitter Mary Donahue is the offensive leader for the Beavers, as she comes into the weekend with 3.61 kills per set, fourth-most in the NEWMAC. Teammate Alicia Wilde has 234 kills in 103 games this year, while Jenny Karnes also has contributed 171 kills. Lorraine Mackiewicz has played sparingly, but still has 136 terminations, and Gizem Yilmaz has added 106 kills and a team-best 71 blocks on the year. Elizabeth Sullivan has been a rock in the back for Babson, chalking up 5.62 digs per set this season. Her digs per set total is 19^th most in NCAA Division III and her 566 total defensive saves ranks 15^th nationally. The Beavers as a team are holding opposition to 0.094 hitting percentage, eighth lowest in the country.

Against Babson All-Time
These two teams have played just once before Saturday's meeting, as the Brewers took a five-set victory over the Beavers back on October 24, 2009.

A Look At The Judges (5-22, 0-7 UAA)
The Judges are having a tough season from a wins and losses perspective, but some of that has to do with the fact that Brandeis has played the 30^th most difficult schedule in all of Division III women's volleyball. Some of that has to do with playing in the ultra-competitive University Athletic Conference, but also that the Judges have played many NESCAC and difficult opponents from the Northeast and New England regions.

The Judges have struggled to finish plays this year, hitting at just a .048 clip this year, while only three players have chalked up over 100 kills this season. Grace Krumpack leads the team with 149 terminations this season, while teammate Maddie Engeler has registered a squad high 1.67 kills per set. Freshman Zara Platt leads the team in qualifying hitting percentage, finishing 13.7 percent of her attacks, and Leah Pearlman and Allison Harmsworth have split time setting, accumulating 526 assists on the season. Yvette Cho has 401 digs to pace the team.

Against Brandeis All-Time
The Judges and Vassar have never played before, as Saturday's meeting in Waltham, MA will be the first time the Brewers have stepped into Auerbach Gym.

I Hate Goodbyes
The Brewers will say goodbye Saturday to their two seniors in Paige Benson (Elk Grove, CA/Bradshaw Christian School) and Chloe Hallum (Olympia, WA/Olympia).

The Big Dig
Chloe Hallum has been great for the Brewers down the stretch, as she as posted 6.30 digs per set over the last night matches.

Definitely Devan
Freshman Devan Gallagher (San Francisco, CA/Urban School of San Francisco) has had a great first campaign this season, as the Liberty League Rookie of the Year candidate is fifth in the league in kills per set.

Wacky Year
This season, of Vassar's 27 matches only six the entire season have gone past three games. Since September 18, just one of the 17 matches VC has played has not gone the minimum.

Things You Don't See
The sideline intensity this season has translated on the court for the Brewers, and it's been apparent as you watch the excitement for each point Vassar scores.

Balancing Act
The Brewers have been a balanced team over the last 10 matches for VC, as four players are posting over a kill a set, including two in Devan Gallagher and junior Gabby Miller (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon) over 3.20 a game.