Two #HLVB Opponents in Rochester for Weekend Bout

ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland University Volleyball hosts two #HLVB contests this weekend with Northern Kentucky on Friday, September 23 and Wright State on Saturday, September 24 in the Athletics Center O'rena.

Following the team's first #HLVB victory of the 2022 season versus Robert Morris, Oakland will host the Norse as the conference slate continues with a 6-6 series record. This is the first time this season that OU and NKU will meet, with the Golden Grizzlies traveling to Highland Heights, Kentucky on October 22.

With 186 kills after 13 games, Patti Cesarini is still the team's kill leader with Clarke Adams and Libby Gentile following suit with 116 and 106, respectively. Cesarini has the second-most kills in the Horizon League on the offensive front.

Three individuals, AnnaBelle Tomei, Rachel Rossman, and Madison Ross, have tallied 100-plus (in one case, 200-plus) assists on the year with 216, 159, and 106, respectively. Gentile, Jessica Riedl, and Anna Nie lock up the front row with 23, 22 and 20 blocks, respectively.

SCOUTING REPORT

NORTHERN KENTUCKY
At 2-9 overall, NKU is coming off its first win in five games with a 3-2 marathon over Ball State with the previous victory coming against DePaul. Anna Brinkman leads the Norse in kills with 130 while Torie Houston is the team's assist leader with 193.

WRIGHT STATE
The Raiders' only three losses came in the Cardinal & Gold Challenge to Iowa, Iowa State, and Drake while posting a 8-3 mark heading into conference play. Neither on of Oakland's two opponents this weekend have played a #HLVB game yet as Wright State features Sam Ott as its kill leader with 140.

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.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#17 Clarke Adams: OH; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#21 Patti Cesarini: OH; 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore

#12 Libby Smith: MB; 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore

#10 Anna Nie: MB; 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore

#14 Jessica Riedl: MB; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

#23 AnnaBelle Tomei: S; 5' 6"; Senior

#5 Madison Ross: S; Senior

#2 Lyse Bates: DS/L; Freshman

#16 Anika Prisby: MB; Freshman

#9 Rachel Rossman: S; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#17 Clarke Adams
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: OH

#21 Patti Cesarini
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Sophomore
: OH

#12 Libby Smith
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Sophomore
: MB

#10 Anna Nie
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Sophomore
: MB

#14 Jessica Riedl
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: MB

#23 AnnaBelle Tomei
: 5' 6"; Senior
: S

#5 Madison Ross
: Senior
: S

#2 Lyse Bates
: Freshman
: DS/L

#16 Anika Prisby
: Freshman
: MB

#9 Rachel Rossman
: Freshman
: S