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Volleyball Tournament

Preview: 2023 Skyhawks Invitational

9/6/2023 2:50:00 PM

By: Angela Roberts, Assistant AD - Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – It's going to be a volleyball-packed week inside of Whalen Gymnasium as the 12-match 2023 Skyhawks Invitational is slated to run from Thursday to Saturday on Fort Lewis' home court.

TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
All match information, live stats, live stream, and ticketing information can be found HERE!

Looking Back
Fort Lewis came away from the Patriot Classic, hosted by UT Tyler, with a 1-3 record. The team is led on offense by junior Alexis Hobie who averaged 3.20 kills per set on the weekend. Sophomore Ella Butler followed with 2.13 kills per set on a team-best efficiency of .260. From there, the Skyhawks have five players averaging over one kill per set. Junior Natalia Lambos and senior Jade Martinez split time at setter, each averaging over seven assists per set.

Sophomore Sarah Wilkey embraced the role of libero and put up 3.56 digs per set. She was targeted more than any other player on serve receive and came away with a receiving percentage of .948. Sophomore Chloe Ruhl followed with 2.46 digs per set and just one reception error while freshman Alina Nunez and Hobie each chipped in two digs per set. Butler was the team's ace-queen with 14 aces in 16 sets. She and Hobie were named to the All-Tournament team after the weekend.

Scouting Texas A&M International
The Dustdevils are 4-0 after sweeping the University of Illinois Springfield Tournament. The team earned wins over Arkansas Tech, Illinois-Springfield, McKendree, and Missouri Western. Ariana Guerra led the team with 3.92 kills per set at a .217 clip. Three players put down at least two kills per set. Emma Lade coordinated a diverse offense and averaged 10.13 assists per set along the way.

Lixai Perez ranks fourth in NCAA DII in digs per set with an even six through 16 sets. Giulia Hortelan backs her up very well with 4.44 digs per set and a reception percentage of .968. As a team, Texas A&M International is averaging 18.25 digs per set versus 17.63 for the opposition. The Dustdevils are coming off a 28-8 season in 2022. Fort Lewis is 2-0 all-time against Texas A&M International.

Scouting CSU Pueblo
The Pack sits at 0-4 after a weekend at the Texas A&M-Kingsville Invitational. The team stole five sets, including a pair in two five-set losses. Sadie Scoville leads the team with 3.18 kills per set on a .273 efficiency, followed by Payton Van Veen who is averaging 2.65 kills per set. CSU Pueblo is running a 6-2 offense with Grace Jansen and Sabrina King splitting duties. The duo is also combining for 23 service aces.

Defensively, Braelyn Woodworth is leading the group with 3.11 digs per set. Scoville follows with 2.76 per set. Golden Finch is the top blocker on the squad with 16 total blocks after a weekend of play. So far, the Pack is being outhit .243 to .194 with 88 attacking errors. CSU Pueblo will face Angelo State, SWOSU, Texas A&M International, and East Central at the Skyhawks Invite. The Pack was 19-9 last season and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Scouting (RV) Angelo State University
The Rambelles are 5-0 and receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches Poll to kick off the 2023 campaign. The most recent win came in sweeping fashion on Tuesday against New Mexico Highlands. The team is hitting at a .329 efficiency while holding the opposition to a .057 clip. Hannah Kinnison is the top outlet so far, averaging 4.21 kills per set on a dazzling .485 efficiency. Five additional players are averaging over two kills per set. Laney Dale is coordinating the attack with 8.23 assists per set, followed by Alli Kirkpatrick who is averaging 4.62 per set.

On defense, Caleigh Enax is the top dog with 4.23 digs per set and just one reception error on 65 chances. Angelo State is averaging 14.20 digs per set compared to an 11.20 average for their foes. Fort Lewis is 1-1 all-time against Angelo State, dropping the most recent meeting by a 3-1 final in 2019. The Rambelles were 11-18 last season.

Scouting East Central University
East Central is 2-3 following a weekend at the West Texas A&M Festival in Canyon, Texas. The team owns wins over St. Mary's University and Langston. The Tigers are hitting just .122 so far this season versus a .192 mark for their opponents. Leading the way offensively is Odalys Gonzalez who puts down 3.95 kills per set. Emma Strickland follows with 3.37 per set. The pair of Brooke Sarahina and Julia Kabala have split setting duties with 5.05 and 4.05 assists per set, respectively.

Macey McAmis is leading the way on defense with 3.00 digs per set, and the Tigers are averaging 12.11 digs per set as a team. Strickland is the top target on serve receive with 129 attempts for a .953 receiving percentage. The Tigers were 15-17 last season, and this will be the first meeting between the programs.

Scouting SWOSU
The Bulldogs are 3-1 this season with wins over Midwestern State, Eastern New Mexico, and Western Colorado to start the year. The team is hitting .217 compared to a .145 mark for their foes. Lacy Mott is leading the team with 3.94 kills per set on a .293 efficiency en route to Lone Star Conference Play of the Week nods. SWOSU runs a two-setting offense with Cameron Turns and Terez Chavez combining for 9.75 assists per set.

Jada Permenter is locked down on defense with 4.31 digs per set. Mott is the target on serve receive with just two errors in 103 chances. Samantha Kuzma and Zoey Sparks lead the team with 1.19 and 1.06 blocks per set, respectively. SWOSU was 17-12 last season with a 12.4 mark in conference play. Fort Lewis is 0-1 all-time against SWOSU with the lone match coming last season and ending in three sets.

Up Next
Can't catch the Skyhawks in action this week? The team will be back at home on Friday, September 15th to kick off Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play against Westminster University. First serve is set for 6:00 p.m. inside of Whalen Gymnasium.
 
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