University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Iona College
Huskies Host UConn Challenge Starting Thursday Night
9/4/2019 3:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
STORRS, Conn. – The UConn volleyball team will take the court in Gampel Pavilion for the first time this season when they welcome Boston College, Central Connecticut and Iona to campus for this weekend's UConn Challenge.
The Huskies will open this weekend's event on Thursday night facing the Iona Gaels at 7 pm in the 2019 home opener. UConn is back in action on Friday night against Boston College at 7 pm and closes the annual event on Saturday afternoon against the CCSU Blue Devils at 2 pm. For a full tournament schedule and links to live video streams and live stats, CLICK HERE.
UConn Challenge Promotional Schedule - This weekend's matches will feature three different promotions for fans and students attending. Thursday night's match with Iona will be "Bad Pizza Topping Night" with a pizza giveaway for all students. On Friday night vs. BC it's "Friday Night Shoot-Around" where students can shoot hoops after the match on the floor in Gampel in addition to receiving a t-shirt every time a UConn volleyball player tallies a service ace. Saturday will be "Family Day" with a post-match meet and greet with the players. Admission to all UConn volleyball matches is free.
Opening Weekend – The Huskies are coming off their season opening trip to the nation's capital and The Service Academy Challenge at the Pentagon last weekend. The Huskies went 1-2 in the tournament, clipping Air Force (3-1), but falling to Navy (0-3) and Gonzaga (0-3).
R-Junior Genna Florig (Portland, Ore.) led the Husky offense on the weekend, hitting .343 (16-3-35) over the weekend, averaging 2.00 kills per set while serving up three aces. On the defensive end, she led the team on the weekend with 10.0 blocks, a 1.25 per set average. As a team, the Huskies posted 20.5 blocks on the weekend (2.05 per set).
Sophomore Caylee Parker (Windsor, Ontario) finished the weekend with 24 kills, averaging 2.67 per set. Parker also had 16 digs over the three matches (1.78 per set). In UConn's 3-1 win over Air Force, Parker led the charge with 12 kills, five digs, and an ace.
R-Sophomore setter Courtney Morris (North Royalton, Ohio) paced the Husky attack with 71 assists, averaging 7.10 per set, while serving up a team-high five aces over the weekend.
Freshman Jasmine Davis (Redondo Beach, Calif.) had a nice start to her collegiate career, collecting 17 kills and 12 digs in the tournament. Davis had her best match in the win over the Falcons, collecting nine kills and a pair of blocks.
This Week's Match-Ups – The Huskies open the weekend against the Gaels of Iona who are 0-3 after falling to Rhode Island (0-3), New Hampshire (1-3) and Army West Point (0-3) at last weekend's Army Invite. The BC Eagles got off to a 1-2 start to their season on a trip out to Eugene, Ore. to play in the Oregon Classic. The Eagles beat UC-Irvine (3-0) but fell short to the host Ducks (0-3) and to Oregon State (0-3). The CCSU Blue Devils enter the weekend at 1-2 after a stop at the Georgetown Classic. Central grabbed a win over Rider (3-0) and lost to the host Hoyas (0-3) and to Central Arkansas (2-3).
Up Next for the Huskies – UConn will head back out on the road next weekend for a trio of matches in the Ohio Invitational at Ohio University. The Huskies open the tournament against Virginia and will also play the host Bobcats on Friday, September 13 and then close out the weekend against the College of Charleston on Saturday, September 14.
