University of North Florida
Wright State
Ospreys to Open Season at Georgia State Invitational
8/26/2010 4:17:08 PM | Volleyball
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida volleyball team will open the 2010 season on Friday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. when it faces Wright State on the first day of the Georgia State Invitational in Atlanta, Ga.
The Ospreys will face host team Georgia State as well as Morehead State on Saturday, Aug 28 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.
“Our team has been performing at a high level during this preseason,” said head coach Kevin Campbell. “We are ready to face opponents and compete against someone other than ourselves. The team is excited for this first weekend and for the season to begin. Our team is looking forward to great things this season.”
UNF returns two starters and a libero from last season's team including 2009 Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year, Paige Pridgeon (outside hitter) and All-Freshman team member Nicole Baran (libero).
Pridgeon topped the Ospreys in service aces in 2009, tallying 50 on the season and leading the A-Sun with 0.45 per set. She was second on the team in kills with 350, averaging 2.91 per set. She also finished the season second in digs with 205 (2.57dps) last season. Pridgeon finished 2009 ranked eighth in the A-Sun in kills and was the only freshman in the top-10. Baran led the Ospreys with 332 digs last season, averaging 2.84 per set and had a serve reception percentage of .953.
Several other players who saw significant playing time are returning this season including senior setter, Jessica Catelano who led the team with 9.33 sets per set (952 total).
Sophomore middle blockers Dagnija Medina and Marija Pantovic also return along with fellow sophomore and defensive specialist Allison Shirley. Seniors Chelsea Rabe (defensive specialist) and Marshay Greenlee (right side/outside hitter) are back for their final season with the Ospreys.
Joining the returnees are four freshmen newcomers, outside hitter Anna Budinska, setter Britt Claessens, right side/outside hitter Cameron McGuire and defensive specialist Kelsey Smith.
The Ospreys will face Wright State for the first time in the program's history. The Raiders posted a 12-20 record last season and finished ninth in the Horizon League in 2009. WSU return four starters and nine letterwinners.
UNF has a 0-1 record all-time against Georgia State. The Ospreys will be looking to even up the series against the Panthers who recorded a 16-14 overall record in 2009. GSU returns six starters and 10 letterwinners from last season's team that finished tied for eighth in the Colonial Athletic Association.
North Florida and Morehead State will meet for the first time on Saturday. The Eagles finished 2009 with a 21-11 overall record and a third place finish in the Ohio Valley Conference. MSU has nine letterwinners returning this season.
