Bulldogs to Face Fourth Top-25 Team in Eight Matches

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Yale's challenging non-conference schedule continues this weekend with a trip to the West Coast.

The Bulldogs look to build off an impressive win over Villanova at the Fullerton Classic, which will feature matches against No. 22 UCLA (6-2), Georgetown (6-4) and host Cal-State Fullerton (5-5). 

All three matches will be available to watch through the Internet.  Fans can follow the action through the official tournament website. 

Yale takes on its fourth top-25 opponent this weekend in the third weekend of its season.   The Bulldogs have already faced No. 3 Penn State, No. 12 Minnesota and No. 24 Kansas.  

The Bulldogs (2-4) finished up last weekend with a 3-0 win at Villanova.  Yale hit a blistering .371 and Kelly Johnson had match-best 14 kills in the sweep. 

Johnson hit .565 in 23 attempts with seven digs and four assists as the Bulldogs captured the final match of Villanova Classic against the host.  

Mollie Rogers had 34 kills in the three matches last weekend and was named to the Villanova Classic All-Tournament team.  Against No. 3 Penn State, Rogers had nine kills, 10 digs and hit .300 in another match during the tournament. 

Rogers also had 13 kills against No. 24 Kansas, the highest number kills for an individual allowed in a three-set match this season for the Jayhawks. 

On defense, the Bulldogs held a 64-45 advantage in digs and had four in double-figures, including Maddie Rudnick (18), Kelsey Crawford (12), Rogers (11) and Tori Shepherd (10) against Villanova. 

Crawford added 81 assists last weekend and earned Ivy League Rookie of the Week.  Crawford entered the week ranked third in the conference in assists per set.

In addition, Rogers ranks fourth in the Ivy League in kills per set (3.16), while Rudnick ranks sixth in digs per set (3.79). 

 This Weekend's Schedule:

NOTE: All Times Eastern

Friday, Sept. 19

10 p.m. - Yale at Cal-State Fullerton - Live Video | Live Stats

Saturday, Sept. 20

1 p.m. - Yale vs. UCLA - Live Video | Live Stats

7 p.m. - Yale vs. Georgetown - Live Video | Live Stats

Report filed by Ernie Bertothy, Yale Sports Publicity