POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 10, 2015) – The Vassar College women's volleyball team (3-1) will look to shake off its first loss of the season this weekend, traveling to Rochester, New York for four matches at the Golden Flyer Invitational, hosted by Nazareth College. Vassar College will take on Medaille College and The College at Brockport on Friday evening, followed by matches against Hartwick College and the host Golden Flyers on Saturday.

Game Details
Golden Flyer Invitational – Tournament Website

Opponent: vs. Medaille College (0-1) – Court 2
Links: (Medaille Women's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Rochester, NY
Facility: Kidera Gymnasium – Nazareth College
Date: September 11, 2015
Time: 6 p.m.

Opponent: vs. The College at Brockport (6-0) – Court 2
Links: (Brockport Women's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Rochester, NY
Facility: Kidera Gymnasium – Nazareth College
Date: September 11, 2015
Time: 8 p.m.

Opponent: vs. Hartwick College (1-4) – Court 1
Links: (Hartwick Women's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Rochester, NY
Facility: Kidera Gymnasium – Nazareth College
Date: September 12, 2015
Time:  11 a.m.

Opponent: vs. Nazareth College (2-2) – Court 1
Links: (Nazareth Women's Volleyball Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Rochester, NY
Facility: Kidera Gymnasium – Nazareth College
Date: September 12, 2015
Time:  1 p.m.
Live Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)

What To Watch For
The Brewers are coming off a hard fought four-set loss to No. 18 Williams College, as Vassar College earned the win in the second set to pull even at one game apiece before dropping the third and fourth sets. The match was Vassar's first that went longer than three games, but so far the Brewers have been dynamite in the second set of contests. On the year, VC has outscored its opponents 100-64 in the second stanza, taking the period in all four of their matches this year thus far. Vassar's hitting has been inconsistent as well, but with a four newcomers starting so far, look for that to improve as well.

A Look at the Mavericks (0-1)
Medaille College has only played once thus far this season, dropping its opener to Buffalo State Tuesday night in four games. In that match, Bailey Salemi chalked up 13 kills to pace the Maverick attack, while Susan Muldoon finished with 12 kills as well. MC's balanced defense in the back row was paced by the 10 digs from Simmone Talford, and Jenna Cleversley also posted nine digs and four kills as well. On the match, Medaille hit .136 while posting 11.5 kills per set in the defeat.

Medaille has a solid senior-laden team this year, as Cleversley and Talford are back to lead the 15-person squad. The Mavericks only have one freshman on the team in Dianna Burgos, so head coach Keith Koch and his staff will rely heavily on returners to improve on last year's 10-21 season. Medaille will take on Liberty League foe Rochester Institute of Technology at 4 p.m. Friday, finishing the tournament with matches against Brockport and Nazareth Saturday.

Against Medaille All-Time
The Brewers and Mavericks will face off for the first time in program history this weekend.

A Look at the Eagles (6-0)
Brockport is riding high currently, as the Eagles come into the weekend's tournament 6-0, having won all 18 sets that they have played. Most recently, Brockport knocked off D'Youville College in the Eagle Empire Game in straight sets. In that match, the Eagles dominated their opponents while holding DC to just 11 kills all match. Brockport was paced by the 10 kills each from Emily Flohr and Kayla Barber, and Kathleen Irwin added 10 digs as well. The service game this year for the Eagles has been strong, posting over two aces a set this year. The Eagles are also holding opposition to only 8.3 kills per set, and also blocking 1.4 attacks a game.

Individually, Kayla Barber has been the go-to option offensively for Brockport, as she is averaging 4.41 kills per game while totaling 75 on the season. Teammate Sam Holdredge has 42 kills as well, while Brianna Richardson leads the team with a .418 hitting percentage with 35 terminations. Holdredge is atop the dig category for Brockport, and Kathleen Irwin also posts 4.57 digs per set. Ashley Capone and Hannah Sawicki do their damage at the net defensively, combining on 23 blocks so far through six games.

Against Brockport All-Time
The two teams have played 14 times previous to Friday's matchup, with each team holding seven wins apiece. The Brewers last took on the Eagles during the 2008 season, knocking off the Eagles in four games at the Ithaca Bomber Invitational.

A Look at the Hawks (1-4)
Hartwick has stumbled out of the gates this far, but has pushed two of its four losses past straight sets. The team hasn't played since last Saturday, going 1-3 at the Cortland Red Dragon Classic, earning a win over Wells College while falling to Geneseo, St. Lawrence University and Buffalo State. The Hawks have had issues starting fast so far, dropping all five of the first sets they have played while being outscored in those periods, 125-90.

Sophomore Kayla Baril leads the offense for Hartwick, posting 54 kills over 19 sets of action. Baril is aided by Hannah Armstrong and Rosa Maun and their 36 and 25 kills, respectively, while Armstrong leads the team with eight service aces. Alyssa Zeitler has posted 4.50 digs per set, which leads the Hawk squad, while Baril has posted 70 total digs and four blocks. Rachel Jones and Maun lead the team in total blocks with 21 blocks between the two for head coach James Clar.

Against Hartwick All-Time
Vassar has owned the all-time series with Hartwick, winning all 13 matches the two teams have played since 1993. The last win for the Brewers came back in 2010 at the Union Invitational, as VC earned the win in three games.

A Look at the Golden Flyers (2-2)
Head coach Cal Wickens and the Golden Flyers opened the season with a 3-0 victory over Geneseo, followed by losses to Wells and Stockton. The Golden Flyers finished the Red Dragon Invitational with a five-set win over St. Lawrence University. In that victory, Cady Messmer chalked up a team-high 17 kills, while Kelsey Milligan added 10 terminations. Maureen Thayer dished out 42 assists, and Celia Cordero and Olivia Krick each finished with 13 digs in the victory. Nazareth is hitting .188 on the season, but has seen opposing squads post 18.5 digs per set, six more than them.

Senior Jennifer Hicks leads the balanced offense for Naz, posting 47 kills and a .372 hitting percentage through four matches. Messmer is right behind Hicks for the team-lead in terminations, as she has 46 kills already this year. Freshman Kelsey Milligan and Cordero have posted 25 and 24 kills, respectively, while Thayer leads the team with 117 helpers so far. Olivia Krick leads the defense with 50 digs, and Messmer averages 2.62 digs per game for NC.

Against Nazareth All-Time
The Brewers have dropped their past three matches with Nazareth, and now hold a 2-4 mark against the Golden Flyers all-time. Vassar's last win over Naz came in 1994, a three-set victory over the Flyers at the Vassar Invitational.

Dynamic Devan
So far this season, freshman Devan Gallagher (San Francisco, CA/Urban School of San Francisco) has paced the Brewers in three of the first four matches this year, posting a season-best 13 terminations in a win over Lehman College last Saturday.

Well Received
Vassar College has been strong with its serve receive this season, allowing less than one service aces per game so far this year.

Serve Me Up
Right now, junior captain Gabby Miller (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon) has been great with the ball in her hand, chalking up 12 aces so far. She is on pace to break the single-season record for service aces in a season, currently held by Melanie Evans and her 93 back in 1994.

Spread The Block Around
The Vassar block through four games has been balanced and effective, as seven players have recorded rejections, led by the 13 from Gabby Miller.

I Want You!
The Brewers went to reserve defensive specialist Paige Benson (Elk Grove, CA/Bradshaw Christian School) after the first set against Williams, and she provided a spark for VC. Benson posted four digs and a service ace in the match, while holding serve during a six-point march by VC in the second set.

In Neutral
The Brewers will play their first three of many neutral site matches this weekend, a common practice in Division III volleyball. Last season, Vassar went 5-2 in neutral site competitions.

Up Next
VC opens its Liberty League schedule next weekend September 18-19, traveling to the Capital regional to take on Union College and St. Lawrence at Skidmore College Friday evening, followed by more conference action September 19 at Union against Skidmore and Clarkson University.