Thursday, September 16
Morgantown, W.Va.
12:30 p.m.
West Virginia University
vs
George Washington
Photo by: Ben Powell
The Mountaineers Return to the Coliseum
September 15, 2021 04:32 PM | Volleyball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Following three consecutive weeks on the road, the West Virginia University volleyball team returns to the WVU Coliseum this weekend to wrap up the bulk of its nonconference schedule, as the squad plays host to George Washington, UMBC, RMU and No. 20 Penn State in the 2021 Mountaineer Invitational, from Sept. 16-17, in Morgantown.
Live stats and video for all three matches can be found on WVUsports.com.
"It was a good week for us last weekend," said coach Reed Sunahara. "We are looking forward to being at home and (we have) tough competition. It will be a good tournament."
WVU (8-0) will open the tournament with a double-header on Thursday. The squad goes head-to-head with George Washington (0-8) at 12:30 p.m. ET. Following the first match, WVU will give away vouchers for a free hot dog and drink to the first 100 fans in attendance at Thursday's match against the Retrievers of UMBC (3-8) at 5:00 p.m.
West Virginia will return to the court on Friday, Sept. 17 as the squad goes head-to-head with No. 20 Penn State (5-3) at 7 p.m. The Mountaineers will be doing a t-shirt and gold shaker giveaway for the first 500 fans during their evening tilt. The match will also be the first Friday Night Happy Hour of the season, with half off all beverages from the time gates open one hour prior to the match until first serve.
Fans can purchase tickets by visiting WVUGAME.com, calling 1-800-WVUGAME or at the Mountaineer Ticket Office, located at the Gold Gate of the WVU Coliseum. All tickets are general admission.
When purchasing online, tickets are $5 each and $3 for groups of 10 or more. At the WVU Coliseum ticket window, tickets will be $7 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors and $3 for groups. The discounted online pricing will be available until first serve on game day. Fans are encouraged to order tickets in advance online at WVUGAME.com to avoid lines at the gate.
Tickets for WVU students are free with a valid student I.D.
The Mountaineers and the Colonials have met 30 times in program history, with George Washington holding a 22-8 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams last played each other since 2018, with WVU's last win taking place in Washington D.C. on Oct. 9, 2018.
It's been eight years since WVU and UMBC last squared off. The two teams have played just nine times since 1979, with the Mountaineers holding an 8-1 edge in the all-time series. The Mountaineers last defeated the Retrievers on Sept. 22, 2013, in Morgantown.
West Virginia and seven-time National Champions Penn State will go head-to-head for the 29th time in program history. The Nittany Lions hold a 0-28 record in the all-time series, with the PSU claiming their latest victory over WVU on Aug. 26, 2017, in Morgantown, at the WVU Invitational.
The Mountaineers are coming off a 3-0 weekend at the WNY Invitational, held in Buffalo, New York. WVU swept both American and Canisius on Friday, Sept. 10 and beat Buffalo 3-1, on Saturday, Sept. 11.
As a team, West Virginia concluded the tournament with 144 kills, 172 digs and 32 blocks.
Fifth-year senior middle blocker Briana Lynch earned All-Tournament Team honors for her efforts at the three-day event. Lynch tallied 18 total blocks, along with 32 kills. Individually, she ranks first in the Big 12 and sixth in the NCAA in blocks with 1.65 per set.
Leading the squad was fifth-year senior setter Adrian Ell with 39 total kills and a 3.90 hitting efficiency. She also ranks fifth in the Big 12 with .54 aces per set and she ranks 10th with 3.67 points per set.
Senior setter Lacey Zerwas led the tournament with 111 assist and remains in first place in the conference and ranks 17th in the NCAA with an average of 10.92 assists per set. In the tournament match at Buffalo, Zerwas recorded her 23rd career double-double and third this season, with 43 assists and 10 digs.
Senior outside hitter Natali Petrova also recorded a double-double in the win at Buffalo. She secured her eighth career double-double and first of the season after recording 14 kills and a season-high 15 digs.
In accordance with updated WVU policy effective Sept. 13, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask in all WVU System buildings and facilities through Oct. 6, which includes the WVU Coliseum.
Everyone entering the WVU Coliseum must wear a mask properly above the nose and keep it on while inside with the exception when eating and drinking.
Looking ahead, West Virginia will kick off its Big 12 season at home against Oklahoma from Sept. 24-25 in Morgantown, West Virginia. Friday's match will begin at 6 p.m. ET., while Saturday's match will begin at 5 p.m. Both matches will be available on ESPN+.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVU Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Live stats and video for all three matches can be found on WVUsports.com.
"It was a good week for us last weekend," said coach Reed Sunahara. "We are looking forward to being at home and (we have) tough competition. It will be a good tournament."
WVU (8-0) will open the tournament with a double-header on Thursday. The squad goes head-to-head with George Washington (0-8) at 12:30 p.m. ET. Following the first match, WVU will give away vouchers for a free hot dog and drink to the first 100 fans in attendance at Thursday's match against the Retrievers of UMBC (3-8) at 5:00 p.m.
West Virginia will return to the court on Friday, Sept. 17 as the squad goes head-to-head with No. 20 Penn State (5-3) at 7 p.m. The Mountaineers will be doing a t-shirt and gold shaker giveaway for the first 500 fans during their evening tilt. The match will also be the first Friday Night Happy Hour of the season, with half off all beverages from the time gates open one hour prior to the match until first serve.
Fans can purchase tickets by visiting WVUGAME.com, calling 1-800-WVUGAME or at the Mountaineer Ticket Office, located at the Gold Gate of the WVU Coliseum. All tickets are general admission.
When purchasing online, tickets are $5 each and $3 for groups of 10 or more. At the WVU Coliseum ticket window, tickets will be $7 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors and $3 for groups. The discounted online pricing will be available until first serve on game day. Fans are encouraged to order tickets in advance online at WVUGAME.com to avoid lines at the gate.
Tickets for WVU students are free with a valid student I.D.
The Mountaineers and the Colonials have met 30 times in program history, with George Washington holding a 22-8 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams last played each other since 2018, with WVU's last win taking place in Washington D.C. on Oct. 9, 2018.
It's been eight years since WVU and UMBC last squared off. The two teams have played just nine times since 1979, with the Mountaineers holding an 8-1 edge in the all-time series. The Mountaineers last defeated the Retrievers on Sept. 22, 2013, in Morgantown.
West Virginia and seven-time National Champions Penn State will go head-to-head for the 29th time in program history. The Nittany Lions hold a 0-28 record in the all-time series, with the PSU claiming their latest victory over WVU on Aug. 26, 2017, in Morgantown, at the WVU Invitational.
The Mountaineers are coming off a 3-0 weekend at the WNY Invitational, held in Buffalo, New York. WVU swept both American and Canisius on Friday, Sept. 10 and beat Buffalo 3-1, on Saturday, Sept. 11.
As a team, West Virginia concluded the tournament with 144 kills, 172 digs and 32 blocks.
Fifth-year senior middle blocker Briana Lynch earned All-Tournament Team honors for her efforts at the three-day event. Lynch tallied 18 total blocks, along with 32 kills. Individually, she ranks first in the Big 12 and sixth in the NCAA in blocks with 1.65 per set.
Leading the squad was fifth-year senior setter Adrian Ell with 39 total kills and a 3.90 hitting efficiency. She also ranks fifth in the Big 12 with .54 aces per set and she ranks 10th with 3.67 points per set.
Senior setter Lacey Zerwas led the tournament with 111 assist and remains in first place in the conference and ranks 17th in the NCAA with an average of 10.92 assists per set. In the tournament match at Buffalo, Zerwas recorded her 23rd career double-double and third this season, with 43 assists and 10 digs.
Senior outside hitter Natali Petrova also recorded a double-double in the win at Buffalo. She secured her eighth career double-double and first of the season after recording 14 kills and a season-high 15 digs.
In accordance with updated WVU policy effective Sept. 13, all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask in all WVU System buildings and facilities through Oct. 6, which includes the WVU Coliseum.
Everyone entering the WVU Coliseum must wear a mask properly above the nose and keep it on while inside with the exception when eating and drinking.
Looking ahead, West Virginia will kick off its Big 12 season at home against Oklahoma from Sept. 24-25 in Morgantown, West Virginia. Friday's match will begin at 6 p.m. ET., while Saturday's match will begin at 5 p.m. Both matches will be available on ESPN+.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVU Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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/ Volleyball
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