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JJ Curry
Kaitlyn Silva

Fort Lewis volleyball returns to the court at the Kathleen Brasfield Invitational

9/5/2024 12:00:00 PM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD-Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – Fort Lewis College volleyball will play four matches in two days at the Kathleen Brasfield Invitational, hosted by Angelo State University. The team will be testing itself early in the season with a pair of those games being against programs ranked or receiving votes in the AVCA/TERAFLEX Preseason Poll.

Looking Back
The 2023 season started hot with an elite UT Tyler Tournament, followed by the Skyhawks Invitational, which saw 13 matches inside of Whalen Gymnasium over three days. Playing at home in the pre-conference season is a privilege that not many Skyhawks volleyball squads are able to experience. In total, Fort Lewis played 11 matches at home last season and went 7-4 in those contests. The team ended the year at 13-13 overall with a 6-8 mark in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. The games were competitive, exciting, and gave fans a lot to look forward to with a blend of veterans and newcomers in the mix.

Three players returning to this year's team were named to RMAC All-Conference rosters. Headlining the group was outside hitter Alexis Hobie's third-straight All-RMAC honor—this time being named to the Second Team. Middle blocker Ella Butler joined Hobie on the Second Team after earning Honorable Mention accolades in her freshman year. Rounding out the trio was setter Natalia Lambos, fresh off back-to-back RMAC Setter of the Week nods, who found a spot on the Honorable Mention list.

Scouting UT Permian Basin
The Falcons were 17-10 last season and 8-8 in Lone Star Conference play. The team was predicted to finish ninth in the LSC Preseason Coaches Poll, and players Chyra Thompson, Gabby Gregorski, and Canyen Rodriguez earned nods as players to watch.

UTPB hit .181 as a team last season compared to a .164 mark for their opponents. Defense was a bring spot for a team that averaged 2.4 blocks and 16.1 digs per set. The backrow was locked down by Gregorski who led the team with 4.26 digs per set. She also boasted a serve receive percentage of 96.9 in 383 chances. They return their leading blocker, too, in April Egwu who averaged 1.35 blocks per set in her junior campaign. Offensively, Aaliyah Gray and Thompson return after combining for five kills per set in 2023. The Falcons bring back one setter from their 6-2 offense in Jenna Gray (4.63 assists/set).

The team is under new direction as head coach CJ Allard joined UTPB in late February. In the series history, Fort Lewis and UTPB are tied 2-2. The Skyhawks earned a sweep in the most recent meeting in 2022. Alexis Hobie, a sophomore at the time, led the team with 15 kills (.313).

Scouting Emmanuel University
The Lions put together a 22-11 overall record last season, including a 14-3 mark in Conference Carolinas play. Emmanuel is predicted to win the conference title after doing so last season. They advanced to the NCAA Regional and had a pair of players named All-American Honorable Mentions.

Emmanuel hit .211 as a team last season while holding its opponents to a .173 clip. They averaged 1.8 blocks and 16.8 digs per set. The Lions return their top point scorer in Alaina Emminger, a senior outside hitter who averaged 3.33 kills per set last season. They will be looking to replace their setter, Gabrielle McGlamery, who averaged 10.31 assists per set. The pair of Asian Queen and Ellie Jackson return after combining for over six digs per set.

Friday's meeting will be the first in program history between Fort Lewis and Emmanuel.

Scouting (RV) Angelo State University
The Belles are coming off a stout 24-8 season that saw them go 12-4 in Lone Star Conference play. They were 11-1 on their home court and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Regionals. Angelo State is receiving votes (46) in the AVCA/TERAFLEX Preseason Poll and was predicted to finish third in the LSC Coaches Poll. The team returns a pair of All-Conference outside hitters in Evelyn Torres and Madi Parrish.

As a team, Angelo State hit .231 last season and held its opponents to a .161 clip. They shone defensively by averaging 16.5 digs per set. Parrish and Torres return after combining for five kills per set. They ran a two-setter offense and cycled through three setters. The only returning setter is Alli Kirkpatrick, but they have reloaded with newcomers. Caleigh Enax is back at the libero position after averaging 4.42 digs per set and committing just 20 receiving errors in 607 chances (96.7).

Fort Lewis is 1-2 all-time against Angelo State, including a 3-1 loss at last year's Skyhawks Invitational. Natalia Lambos earned a double-double in the loss with 42 assists and 13 digs.

Scouting No. 23 University of Central Oklahoma
The Bronchos were 26-5 last season with a 17-3 record in MIAA play. They open the year ranked No. 23 in the AVCA/TERAFLEX Preseason Poll and were projected to finish second in the MIAA. They will be looking to replace two-time All-American libero in Jaedynn Evans.

Starting setter Lindsey Houran makes her return for the third season after coordinating an offense that hit .250 in 2023. A pair of veteran attackers are back as well with Mallorie Koehn and Brynn Egger, a duo that combined for three kills per set. Sydney Huck is the primary outside hitter with 810 career kills through just two seasons. Defense will be in question early, but the roster boasts a wealth of talent that will likely step into the role seamlessly.

Fort Lewis and Central Oklahoma have met just once, a straight set loss for the Skyhawks all the way back in 2007.

Up Next
Fort Lewis will be back on the road for their final pre-conference tournament next week in Gunnison, Colorado. The Mountaineer Volleyball Classic, hosted by Western Colorado University, will begin on Friday, September 13. The Skyhawks will face Texas A&M Kingsville, Washburn University, Academy of Art, and Western New Mexico throughout the two-day tournament.
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