ROCHESTER, Mich. – This weekend, September 16-17, Oakland University Volleyball will wrap up the non-conference portion of its schedule and head to the Green and White Classic in East Lansing, hosted by Michigan State for three games. 

Oakland is heading into its final multi-team event of the year in East Lansing, coming from a 0-3 mark at the Beale Street Challenge last weekend in Memphis, Tennessee. Clarke Adams was the only Golden Grizzly on the All-Tournament Team.

Patti Cesarini is the team's kill leader through nine games at 119 with a .198 attacking percentage while Libby Gentile has vaulted up the same category with 82 and a .221 percentage in as many games. The aforementioned Adams along with Jessica Riedl are just behind with 80 and 60 on the year, respectively. AnnaBelle Tomei leads OU in assists with 151 in tandem with Madison Ross at 106. 

On defense, Emily Wichmann locks down the first touch with 189 digs this season as Cesarini is just behind at 109. Riedl is a force in the front row with a total of 16 blocks on the year with one of them being solo. Gentile is not far behind with 15 and two solos. 

Oakland's Green and White Classic Schedule:
Friday, September 16 - Michigan State, 6:30 PM
Saturday, September 17 - Evansville, Noon
Saturday, September 17 - Chicago State, 7:30 PM

SCOUTING REPORT

MICHIGAN STATE
At 6-2 overall, the Spartans are returning to East Lansing having suffered two losses on the road to both North Carolina and Duke, respectively. This will be the second multi-team event MSU has hosted after going through the Auto Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational in late August. Maradith O'Gorman leads the team in kills with 90 as Zoe Nunez has 259 assists on the year. 

EVANSVILLE
The Purple Aces will be the team traveling the furthest to Michigan, carrying a 0-3 record last weekend with them at the Baylor Classic with losses to Colorado State, Arizona State, and Baylor for 2-9 overall. Giuila Cardona has served 143 kills to her credit with Kora Ruff at 372 assists and 16 blocks though Madisyn Steele leads that category with 28.  

CHICAGO STATE
Yanlis Feliz leads the Cougars with 146 kills to her credit as Chicago State sits at 3-6 overall with wins over Indiana State, Eastern Illinois, and Central Michigan. Other category leaders include Yunju Lee in assists with 179, Andrea Calderon in digs at 146, and Julieta Sanchez in blocks with 29. 

 

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START YOUR MVP CHANTS
Riedl was named the Kent State Invitational MVP following 21 kills and seven block assists as Oakland went a team-best 2-1 in the event.

OAKLAND SIXTH IN PRESEASON POLL
The Golden Grizzlies earned 51 points in the 2022 #HLVB Preseason Coaches Poll for sixth place. Northern Kentucky is predicted to be the champion with 96 points and six first-place votes.

RICE NAMED HEAD COACH
In March of 2022, Oakland welcomed Krista Rice as Head Coach of the Golden Grizzlies after a stint as Associate Head Coach at Central Michigan. Rice then filled out her staff with Kyle Stahl of Western Michigan and Rick Wootten-Smith already at Oakland.

THREE NEW FACES
Oakland adds three freshmen to the fold in a new era of Golden Grizzlies volleyball in Lyse Bates, Rachel Rossman, and Anika Prisby.