Bulldogs Set to Host Yale Classic

Sept. 22, 2006

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The Yale volleyball team played well in California last weekend, but ran into two talented opponents and left the Golden State on a two-match losing streak. The Bulldogs return to the John J. Lee Amphitheater this weekend for the annual Courtyard by Marriott Yale Classic looking to return to form.

Central Connecticut and Albany open the tournament Friday at 5 p.m., followed by Yale vs. Rhode Island at 7 p.m. The tournament concludes on Saturday with four matches. Rhode Island vs. Albany opens the day's action at 11 a.m., then Yale takes on Central Connecticut at 1 p.m. Central Connecticut meets Rhode Island Saturday at 5 p.m., and Yale hosts Albany at 7 p.m. in the final match.

The Bulldogs were supposed to face Central Connecticut in last year's season-opening Georgetown Classic, but the match was cancelled when the officials failed to show up. Yale and Albany last met in the first round of the 2004 NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs' 3-1 victory was the first win by an Ivy League school in NCAA Tournament history. This is the first meeting all-time between Yale and Rhode Island.

Yale (3-3) is led by Alexis Crusey, the current Ivy League Rookie of the Week. Crusey ranks second on the team with 3.86 kills and 3.62 digs per game. She was named to the Asics Invitational All-Tournament Team last week after posting 23 kills and 13 digs while hitting .452 against Pacific. She posted career-highs of 24 kills, 19 digs, and seven blocks against Connecticut on Sept. 12. Shannon Farrell leads the Bulldogs in kills with 4.05 per game, and Anja Perlebach, who posted her 1,100th career dig against Cal, leads the team with 3.71 digs per game.

Albany (4-6) went 2-1 last weekend at the UAlbany Classic. Ashley DeNeal posted 28 kills and 49 digs in three matches, earning her an all-tournament selection. DeNeal, the reigning America East Player of the Week, leads the team with 3.73 digs per game. Shelby Goldman is the Great Danes' leading attacker with 4.68 kills per game.

After losing three straight matches, Central Connecticut (6-4) comes into the Yale Classic having won three of its last four. Amanda Olmstead leads the Blue Devils with 2.46 kills per game. Brynn Good is the team leader in digs (2.63) and assists (9.00) per game.

Rhode Island (3-10) is coming off a tough, five-game loss to Brown Tuesday night. The Rams have lost four straight matches. Inga Schlecht leads the team with 3.44 kills per game, while Leslie Wiekamp averages 5.10 digs per game.

Report filed by Joe Clifford, Yale Sports Publicity