Live Stats (All Matches)Live Video (UNF-The Citadel Match Only)Tournament Central CHARLESTON, S.C. – University of North Florida volleyball plays its final early season tournament this weekend as the Ospreys travel to The Citadel Tournament for three matches at McAlister Field House. UNF opens the tournament against Wright State on Friday at 4 p.m., and then concludes it on Saturday with The Citadel (11:30 a.m.) and UNC Asheville (2:30 p.m.).
"We are excited for our trip to Charleston," said head coach
Steve Loeswick. "The three teams we are playing will provide us with some different challenges and we know we have to continue playing well to get the most out of this weekend. It is an important trip for solidifying our play and our line-up with these being the last matches before the start of conference play."
UNF brings a four-match winning streak into the weekend and comes off a 3-0 sweep at Florida A&M on Tuesday night. UNF has hit over .200 in nine matches this season, including in all eight of its victories.
The Citadel Tournament also serves as UNF's last tune-up before the start of Atlantic Sun play next Friday.
Tournaments Thus Far: In each of its previous three early season tournaments, UNF has recorded at least a .500 winning percentage. The Ospreys were 2-1 (.667) at the season-opening Panther Challenge, 2-2 (.500) at the Dish Tennessee Volleyball Classic and 3-0 (1.000) at last weekend's Courtyard Mayo Classic.
Following Up The Home Tournament Title: During head coach
Steve Loeswick's first season in 2012, UNF won consecutive tournaments to finish out the early tournament portion of its schedule. The Ospreys claimed the title to its own Radisson/North Florida Invitational Sept. 7-8 and then followed that up with the Winthrop Invitational crown on Sept. 14-15. UNF's tournament title at last weekend's Courtyard Mayo Classic was the third time the Ospreys won a tournament under Loeswick.
Scouting Wright State: Travels outside the state of Ohio for the first time this season... has posted winning records in each tournament so far this season... has a common opponent with UNF as both teams faced Tennessee Tech (Wright State - Aug. 29; UNF - Sept. 4) and won 3-0... Katie Klusman averages 4.26 kills per set... Maddie Lohmeier is putting up 10.97 assists per set... this week's Horizon League Defensive Player of the Week Jessie Thornton averages 4.71 digs per set.
UNF-Wright State Series: Wright State leads the series 1-0 after winning 3-0 on Aug. 27, 2010 at the Georgia State Invitational.
Scouting The Citadel: Began a four-match homestand with a 3-2 win against Charleston Southern on Tuesday, which was also the Bulldogs' home-opener... currently 0-1 against Atlantic Sun teams this season after losing 3-1 to USC Upstate on Sept. 4 at the Runnin' Bulldog Classic... also has a common opponent with UNF, having played Alabama A&M (UNF - Aug. 29; Citadel - Sept. 11)... two Bulldogs average over 3.00 kills per set in Moriah Smith (3.80) and Megan Sowell (3.04)... Samantha Espy averages 4.74 digs per set.
UNF-The Citadel Series: First Meeting.
Scouting UNC Asheville: Enters The Citadel Tournament on a five-match winning streak... Currently 0-1 against Atlantic Sun teams, having lost 3-1 to USC Upstate on Aug. 28... also has Alabama A&M as a common opponent with UNF, having defeated Alabama A&M 3-0 on Sept. 12 at its own UNC Asheville Invitational... all matches so far this season have been either three sets (four times) or four sets (five times)... Catherine Fischer is averaging a team-best 2.34 kills per set, while Bryn Pfeiffer averages 4.91 digs per set.
UNF-UNC Asheville Series: UNF leads the series 2-0 and won last season's meeting 3-0 on Sept. 20 during the Radisson Invitational held at UNF Arena
