POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 4, 2017) – The Vassar College women's volleyball team will make a quick trip up the river to Saratoga Springs Friday evening to take on Skidmore College. The squad will return home following the match and take on Union College Saturday afternoon in Kenyon. These two contests make up the second round of Liberty League action, and each opponent will also compete with Bard over the weekend.
 
Game Details
Opponent: Skidmore College (12-6, 2-1 LL)  
Links: (Skidmore Home Page) (Schedule) (Roster) (Statistics)
Date: October 6, 2017
Time: 6 p.m.
Site: Saratoga Springs, NY
Facility: Williamson Sports Center
Game Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)
 
Opponent: Union College (9-12, 0-3 LL)
Links: (Union Home Page) (Schedule) (Roster) (Statistics)
Date: October 7, 2017
Time: 4 p.m.
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility: Kenyon Hall
Game Coverage: (Live Video) (Live Stats)

Last Time Out: Hosting a tri-match this past weekend, the Brewers went 3-0, dropping just one set. In Friday's contest, the Brewers hit for an astonishing .373 percentage. Saturday, the squad was again quite balanced, hitting and defending quite well. The squad combined for a season-high 91 digs against Nazareth, led by freshman libero Anna Zucchero with 25. Gallagher was named co-Performer of the Week once again, adding 72 kills and 43 digs for the Brewers this week.
 
A Look at The Brewers (15-3, 3-0 LL): 
 

• The Brewers continue to attack at a very strong rate, as VC ranks first in the Liberty League and 25^th nationally with a .239 hitting percentage.
• Vassar also leads the Liberty Leagues in service aces per set with 3.02, while ranking 20^th in Division III in the category.
• In fact, in total team service aces, the Brewers are 18^th in the country with 178.
• Vassar ranks 24^th in the country in assists per set with 12.28, while junior setter Annie MacMillan is fourth in the nation with 11.02 a game.
• Junior Devan Gallagher is fourth in the country in kills per set with 4.88, also leading the Liberty League in that category.
• Sophomore Jane McLeod has contributed 3.57 terminations per set, which is second in the Liberty League.
• Sophomore middle hitter Colette Cambey finished with a team-best 11 kills against Bard College Tuesday, one shy of her personal best of 12.
• Vassar is seventh in the Liberty League in blocks with 75 on the season, but the back-row defense has been stellar with 16.81 digs a game, which is second in the Liberty League.

 
A Look at the Thoroughbreds (12-6, 2-1 LL) 
 

• Skidmore is having a resurgence this season on the volleyball court, after missing the Liberty League playoffs the past four seasons.
• The Thoroughbreds have been strong offensively, posting the third-best hitting clip in the Liberty League with a .206 rate.
• Skidmore is 65^th nationally in total kills with 798 on the season.
• Sophomore Katy Ehnstrom has been very good this year, posting the Liberty League's best hitting percentage at .332.
• Ehnstrom also is the best blocker in the conference, chalking up 0.75 rejections per set.
• Setter Lauren Wolters is 40^th nationally in assists per game with 9.72, ranking third in the Liberty League.
• Skidmore has won its last five matches and 10 of its last 11 matches, including earning a pair of five-set wins over St. Lawrence University and Union College.

 
A Look at the Dutchwomen (9-12, 0-3 LL)
 

• Union College brought in seven freshmen this season after the departure of six to graduation.
• Outside Gillian Gore has had in incredible start to her freshman campaign, posting a team-high 3.32 kills/set, and 3.13 digs/set.
• First-year middle blocker Stephanie Libonati landed a spot on the Liberty League honor roll this week, recording 40 kills in 4 matches. Libonati is hitting .329, also adding 27 blocks.
• Gore ranks seventh in Division III in total attacks, as the newcomer has taken 842 swings this season.
• Brianne Hallock is 15^th in the nation in total digs, while her 4.80 digs per set are third-best in the Liberty League.
• Setter Sage Shimamoto is 15^th nation in total assists this season with 675.

 
Against the Opponents All-TIme: Facing Skidmore, the Brewers are 37-20 all time. Last season, VC beat Skidmore in straight sets in September, falling in five to the Thoroughbreds after an emotional victory over Clarkson in late October. In the 54 contests between Union and Vassar, the Brewers have taken 39 of them. A similar story, VC beat Union in straight sets in September, coming up short in late October last year.
 
Up Next: Vassar will use October break as a short training block before heading to RIT's tournament next weekend for three non-conference regional match-ups. The Brewers will take on SUNY Geneseo, Springfield, and Brockport on October 13^th and 14^th in Rochester, NY.