Friday, September 1, 2023
Yale vs. High Point – 3:30 p.m.
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Saturday, September 2, 2023
Yale vs. Liberty – 11 a.m.
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Sunday, September 3, 2023
Yale at Army-West Point – 12 p.m.
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The Yale volleyball team begins the defense of its most recent Ivy League title this weekend with a season-opening weekend at the Black Knights Invitational in West Point, N.Y. Yale will face High Point, Liberty and host Army in the three-day event.
The Bulldogs finished 2022 with a 23-3 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the eighth time in school history. Yale, which was picked for first place in the preseason Ivy League media poll, returns five All-Ivy selections from 2022 with reigning Ivy League Coach of the Year
Erin Appleman at the helm.
Here is a breakdown of this year's roster by class:
Seniors
Yale returns three seniors this year who have all been key contributors during their Bulldog careers –
Bonnie Bostic,
Audrey Leak and team captain
Maile Somera. Bostic led the team in kills two seasons ago, while Leak earned All-Ivy First Team and ranked third in the Ivy League with a 3.50 kills per set average. Somera was named All-Ivy Second Team and ranked third in the Ivy League in digs per set (4.32) and service aces per set (0.48).
Juniors
The junior class produced in many areas for the squad last year – highlighted by All-Ivy award winners
Gigi Barr,
Carly Diehl and
Mila Yarich, along with
Bella Chan,
Fatima Samb,
Cara Shultz and
Emma Shadwick. Barr earned Honorable Mention All-Ivy and ranked ninth in the conference in hitting percentage, while Diehl was a first team All-Ivy selection and named most outstanding player in the Ivy League postseason tournament. Yarich was an All-Ivy Second Team pick and ranked in the Ivy top-10 in kills, digs and service aces. Shultz led the conference in service aces and was named to the Ivy League All-Tournament Team. Samb last season led the team with 72 total blocks and hit .325 season, while Chan appeared in every match and had 125 digs and 19 aces. Shadwick received increased playing time last year and will provide depth at outside hitter.
Sophomores
The sophomore class consists of four student-athletes who all saw playing time as first-years.
Chidera Chukwumerije,
Lauren Kellen,
Isabella Mendoza and
Halle Sherlock all saw action in multiple matches. Chukwumerije appeared in five matches, while Kellen had 28 kills and hit .298 for the season. Mendoza appeared in seven sets and Sherlock also saw playing time.
First-Years
The Bulldogs welcome five first-year student athletes --
Laurece Abraham,
Payton Bryan,
Betsy Goodenow,
Arya Jue and
Jaidynn Perkins-Martin – all of whom earned prestigious accolades in their high school and club careers, including national recognition.
Scouting High Point
High Point opened the season last week with a 1-2 weekend at the James Madison Invitational. The Panthers defeated UMBC, and lost to Ohio University and host JMU. Dylan Maberry was named Big South Preseason Player of the Year.
Scouting Liberty
Liberty opened the season with a weekend sweep of its own tournament. The Flames defeated Bucknell, Stony Brook and Gardner-Webb. ASUN 2022 Setter of the Year Delaney Dilfer was named conference setter of the week on Monday.
Scouting Army
Army hosted a tournament last weekend to open the season and went 1-2. The Black Knights defeated Central Connecticut, and lost to University of California and Fairfield. Army was picked to finish second in the Patriot League preseason poll.
