Robert Morris University

ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY 2018 VOLLEYBALL MATCH NOTES Media Relations Contact:Matt Popchock • E-Mail: [email protected] • Office Phone: (412) 397-6070 • rmucolonials.com

OLLEY V BALL ROBERT MORRIS COLONIALS ( 0-0|0-0NEC) 2018 SCHEDULE ROBERT MORRIS AT THE CATAMOUNT VOLLEYBALL CLASSIC AUGUST TOP STORY 24 Fri. @ Western Carolina ¹ 6:30 p.m. The Robert Morris University volleyball team officially begins its 38th season when it faces the Catamounts of 25 Sat. vs. Middle Tennessee ¹ 10:00 a.m. Western Carolina University on the first day of the Catamount Volleyball Classic. First serve from the Liston B. vs. Charleston Southern ¹ 4:00 p.m. Ramsey Regional Activity Center in Cullowhee, North Carolina is set for 6:30 p.m. EDT Friday, and the match 31 Fri. vs. Campbell ² 10:00 a.m. can be seen live on ESPN Plus (subscription required). vs. William & Mary ² 5:00 p.m. SEPTEMBER The Colonials continue tournament play Saturday against Middle Tennessee State University and conclude 1 Sat. @ Virginia Tech ² 4:00 p.m. the opening weekend of their 2018 regular campaign by taking on Charleston Southern University. First serve 4 Tue. KENT STATE 7:00 p.m. from the Ramsey Center is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. EDT against the Blue Raiders and 4:00 p.m. EDT against 7 Fri. @ UMBC ³ 10:00 a.m. vs. Loyola (Md.) ³ 5:00 p.m. the Buccaneers, with live stats for both matches available at bit.ly/rmuvolleyball. 8 Sat. vs. James Madison ³ 11:00 a.m. 11 Tue. YOUNGSTOWN STATE 6:00 p.m. Only two meetings between RMU and WCU have ever taken place: a pair of straight-set decisions for the 14 Fri. EASTERN MICHIGAN ⁴ 4:00 p.m. Catamounts just over 15 years apart (Sept. 19, 1998; Sept. 21, 2013). Four-time All-Northeast Conference 15 Sat. HOUSTON ⁴ 10:00 a.m. honoree Arden Fisher (10 kills, 15 digs) and setter Hannah Hoffman (28 assists, 11 digs) each had double- PURDUE FORT WAYNE ⁴ 4:00 p.m. doubles for the Colonials in their most recent contest, at the Carolina Classic in Columbia, South Carolina. 21 Fri. @ Central Connecticut * 7:00 p.m. 22 Sat. @ Bryant * 5:00 p.m. Robert Morris also aims to make the third time the charm against Middle Tennessee, which edged RMU in 28 Fri. @ Saint Francis U * 7:00 p.m. five sets in the Robert Morris Invitational Sept. 15, 2017 at the Sewall Center, the first matchup between the OCTOBER two since an MTSU sweep in the Kent State Invitational Sept. 9, 1995. RMU fell in last year’s meeting despite 5 Fri. ST. FRANCIS BROOKLYN *† 7:00 p.m. 13 kills and five service aces from Emma Granger, plus a double-double from Taylor Lord (11 kills, 13 digs). 6 Sat. LIU BROOKLYN *† 5:00 p.m. 9 Tue. @ Duquesne 6:00 p.m. Coincidentally, the Buccaneers also own a three-set victory over the Colonials, which came Sept. 3, 2005 in 12 Fri. @ Fairleigh Dickinson * 5:00 p.m. the North Florida Tournament, the only meeting ever between the teams. 13 Sat. @ Sacred Heart * 4:00 p.m. 19 Fri. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT * 7:00 p.m. LAST TIME OUT 20 Sat. BRYANT * 5:00 p.m. Overcoming inexperience and a fifth-place preseason prediction, head coach Dale Starr guided Robert Morris 26 Fri. @ St. Francis Brooklyn * 4:00 p.m. to an 8-6 NEC mark and back to the postseason for the first time since their toppling of host LIU Brooklyn in 27 Sat. @ LIU Brooklyn * 4:00 p.m. the NEC Tournament two years prior. It was the 18th NEC Tournament berth for the Colonials in a 19-year NOVEMBER 2 Fri. SAINT FRANCIS U * 7:00 p.m. span. Their 2017 season ended with a four-set loss to the host Blackbirds Nov. 17, 2017 in the NEC Semifinal. 9 Fri. FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON * 7:00 p.m. 10 Sat. SACRED HEART *# 5:00 p.m. SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS NEC TOURNAMENT Western Carolina (11-19 in 2017) returns four starters, including junior middle blocker Aleah Keaton. Keaton 16 Fri. Semifinals TBA started all 30 matches last year and finished second on the team with 99 blocks. Previously, she made the 17 Sat. Final TBA 2016 SoCon All-Freshmen Team. Junior Dora Peonia returns to the outside hitter position for MTSU (7-23 in NCAA TOURNAMENT 2017) this season. Peonia rung up a school single-year record 44 service aces and led the team with 237 kills. 30 Fri. First Round TBA Senior libero Madison Martin returns for CSU (8-22 in 2017) already boasting one of the most accomplished DECEMBER careers in both program and Big South Conference history. She already has the school’s single-season digs 1 Sat. First Round TBA mark set back in the 2016 season with 665 digs. She followed up last year with 528, the third-most in Bucs history. Martin enters the season with 1,462 digs sitting third all-time in the Bucs’ career record books. ¹ Catamount Volleyball Classic (@ Western Carolina) ² Hokie Invitational (@ Virginia Tech) ABOUT ROBERT MORRIS ³ Charm City Challenge (@ UMBC) RMU was picked third in the 2018 NEC Preseason Poll, and it was one of four to receive a first-place vote. One ⁴ RMU Sheraton Innvitational of the most successful teams at Robert Morris and in the Northeast Conference, the volleyball program has * Northeast Conference match won six NEC regular-season championships, including four straight from 2001-2004. The Colonials have also † Homecoming Weekend won eight NEC Tournament titles, including five straight from 1999-2003. Robert Morris reached the NCAA # Senior Night Tournament following each of those five NEC Tournament championships, and again in 2015. Home matches bold and in ALL CAPS PINK denotes Dig Pink Match RMU 2018 TOP RETURNERS All home matches at the North Athletic Complex All times Eastern unless otherwise noted FOLLOW THE COLONIALS

#10 Allie Yurkovich #8 Emma Granger #14 Taylor Lord #7 Maria Alfano 5-7 | SR | L/DS 6-4 | SO | MB 5-9 | SR | OH 6-2 | SO | MB One of just two Colonials to play in Led the NEC and ranked 3rd in the NCAA Ranked second on the team and 10th Ranked second on the team and 4th Fans can get previews, results, recaps, stats and 114 of 119 total sets; ranked 7th in in service aces per set (0.54); set an RMU in the NEC in digs per set (3.14); made in the NEC in attack average (.279); the NEC in digs per set (3.54); made single-season record with 61 aces; 2nd her 1,000th career dig on Oct. 20 vs. 3rd on the team in kills (242) and 2nd schedules at bit.ly/rmuvolleyball. All home and/ her 1,000th career dig on Sept. 22, in the NEC in attack average (.336); 4x LIU Brooklyn; Tied career high with 21 in total blocks (81.0); hit a season- 2017 at SFU; tallied a career-high 26 Molten/NEC Rookie of the Week, only Fr. kills on Aug. 29, 2017 at Youngstown high .619 on Sept. 9, 2017 at La Salle; or Northeast Conference matches are streamed digs on Oct. 20, 2017 vs. LIU Brooklyn selected to All-NEC First Team St.; made All-NEC Tournament Team hit .308 in conference play (3rd, NEC) live on NEC Front Row at necfrontrow.com. #COLONIALPRIDE 2018 ROBERT MORRIS COLONIALS VOLLEYBALL 1 RMU QUICK FACTS MUSKET SHOTS UNIVERSITY INFORMATION A LOOSE CANNON LOCATION Moon Township, Pa. Megan Cannon was the only Colonial to unofficialy register a double-double (10 assists, 11 digs) in the FOUNDED 1921 team’s preseason scrimmage with Division II Seton Hill Aug. 18 at the North Athletic Complex. She came ENROLLMENT 5,076 to Robert Morris after setting the Luxemburg-Casco High School single-season record for assists with AFFILIATION NCAA Division I 1,295 as a senior captain there, and she ended up second in school history with 2,823 career helpers. CONFERENCE Northeast Conference (NEC) GRANGER THINGS NICKNAME Colonials The 2017 season and subsequent offseason were quite memorable for Emma Granger. On Nov. 16, COLORS Blue and White with Red 2017 she was named Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year, making her the first RMU recipient of FACILITY Student Recreation & Fitness the award since Alyssa Bennett in 2008 and just the fourth all-time. It also made her the only rookie to Center at the North Athletic Complex get a 2017 All-NEC First Team nod. Furthermore, her four Molten/NEC Rookie of the Week awards last Capacity 500 season were the most of any NEC newcomer. Then, this summer, Granger traveled to South Africa to PRESIDENT Dr. Christopher B. Howard teach youths about volleyball as part of Athletes in Action, a campus ministry group offered by RMU. ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Craig Coleman, M.D. GOOD LORD Taylor Lord, on Oct. 20, 2017 versus LIU Brooklyn, became the 13th different player in program history MEDIA RELATIONS to record 1,000 career digs. She made 19 in the season finale versus Central Connecticut Nov. 11, 2017, WEBSITE bit.ly/rmuvolleyball a match that saw Robert Morris, for just the ninth time in the Dale Starr era, tie its opponent in team VOLLEYBALL CONTACT Matt Popchock digs, with 102. Lord earned All-NEC Tournament Team honors with her follow-up effort of 19 digs, nine Office Phone (412) 397-6070 kills and two solo blocks against the Blackbirds at the NEC Semifinal Nov. 17, 2017, and she enters the Office Fax (412) 397-4943 season fifth in Colonials history in career digs per set, with 3.47. E-Mail [email protected] Mailing Address 6001 University Boulevard LONDOT CALLING Moon Township, Pa. 15108 Alyson Londot, with her 0.29 aces per set, ranked eighth in the NEC in 2017, coming in second on the team behind Granger’s NEC-best 0.54 per set. Londot had at least one ace in 13 straight matches Aug. 26-Sept. 16, 2017. Granger’s longest streak with at least one was eight in a row Sept. 30-Oct. 27, 2017. SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK facebook.com/RMUVB DON’T HASSLE ME, I’M LOCAL TWITTER @RMUVolleyball The offseason transfer of Serra Catholic product Lauren Kolenik from Eastern Kentucky University gives INSTAGRAM @rmuvolleyball the Colonials five WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) alumnae on their 2018 roster. Maria Alfano and Emily Devlin, in fact, won a district championship together for Seneca Valley COACHING STAFF in 2016 before joining Robert Morris. Meanwhile, Allie Yurkovich of Thomas Jefferson lore became the HEAD COACH Dale Starr 12th player in team history to eclipse 1,000 career digs on Sept. 22, 2017 at Saint Francis U, ranks sixth Alma Mater Northern Colorado ‘95 in RMU history in digs per set (3.43) and has cracked the NEC top ten in that category three straight Tenure at RMU 9th season seasons. The five former WPIAL players are the most on any of Dale Starr’s RMU teams. Record at RMU 120-137 HOLD IT NOW, HIT IT Career Record (D-I) 216-218 Robert Morris finished third in the NEC with its .191 team attack average in 2017, improving upon its ASSISTANT COACH Danny Doherty .180 clip in 2016. This marked the fourth time under Starr and third time over the past five seasons the Alma Mater Kent State ‘10 Colonials ranked third or better in the conference. Granger led all rookies and ranked second overall in Tenure at RMU 8th season the NEC with her .336 hitting percentage, and Alfano was second among rookies and fourth overall with VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT Matt Stehlik her .279 average. Additionally, Granger was ninth in the NEC with her 2.92 kills per set, while she and Tenure at RMU 6th season Alfano finished 2-3 in NEC hitting percentage in conference play (.317 and .308, respectively). ATHLETIC TRAINER Stacy Ogden, ATC STUDENT MANAGER Ella Johnson FROM BOBBY MO TO PRO Two Robert Morris alumnae signed agreements to play overseas in 2017. Arden Fisher ‘17 inked a three-month contract with Geneve Volley in Geneva, Switzerland, which competes in Ligue Nationale TEAM INFORMATION A, the top tier of Swiss professional volleyball. Most recently, Kristin Thompson ‘16 joined University of FIRST SEASON OF VOLLEYBALL 1981 Nottingham of British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) and the National Volleyball League. BUCS is ALL-TIME VOLLEYBALL RECORD 476-537-2* played on Wednesdays with other English schools and NVL is a weekend league, with Nottingham play- NEC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONSHIPS 8 ing in its second tier. NEC REGULAR-SEASON TITLES 6 NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES 6 A CALL TO THE HALL 2015 vs. Ohio State | L, 0-3 One of the earliest superstars of the Starr era, Amanda Graham became the eighth volleyball player and (13-25, 16-25, 11-25) ninth program member overall to be inducted into the Robert Morris Athletic Hall of Fame Feb. 2, 2018. 2003 vs. Penn State | L, 0-3 Graham, a three-time All-NEC First Team choice (2007, 2009, 2010), ranks third in program history in career attack average (.331) and total blocks (438). She also owns the career mark for block assists, with (10-30, 18-30, 11-30) 358. Graham also became just the third RMU Hall-of-Famer, joining fellow volleyball players Katie Noble 2002 vs. Ohio State | L, 0-3 and Megan Bell, to earn three All-NEC First Team accolades. (22-30, 20-30, 16-30) 2001 vs. Ohio State | L, 0-3 YOUTH WILL BE SERVED (17-30, 16-30, 13-30) Starr welcomed twice as many freshmen in 2017 (eight) as in 2018, matching the 2014 squad for the 2000 vs. Minnesota | L, 0-3 most rookies on a Starr-coached Colonials team, whereas his 2018 junior class, for the first time in his (1-15, 6-15, 2-15) tenure, is nonexistent. Previously, his 2010, 2012 and 2014 rosters each featured only one junior, while 1999 vs. Penn State | L, 0-3 the 2013 team remains his only senior-less one since joining RMU. (1-15, 1-15, 2-15) 2018 OVERALL RECORD 0-0 YOU CAN’T SPELL “CONSISTENCY” WITHOUT “NEC” In 2017 Robert Morris finished with its 19th straight winning record in Northeast Conference play, 2017 NEC RECORD | FINISH 8-6 | 4th extending the longest such streak of any NEC member, past or present. RMU has gone 170-48 (.780) in 2018 NEC PRESEASON POLL (1st PLACE VOTES) 3rd (1) NEC play over that span: LETTERWINNERS LOST (2017) 5 1999: 9-0 2004: 8-0 2009: 11-5 2014: 12-2 LETTERWINNERS RETURNING (2018) 10 2000: 8-1 2005: 7-1 2010: 13-3 2015: 11-3 2001: 8-1 2006: 5-3 2011: 10-6 2016: 8-6 *Records from 1981-83; 1985-86 and 1988-89 2002: 9-0 2007: 6-2 2012: 13-3 2017: 8-6 are missing 2003: 8-0 2008: 8-0 2013: 8-6 2 ROBERT MORRIS AT THE CATAMOUNT VOLLEYBALL CLASSIC 2018 ROSTER THE STARR REPORT DALE STARR’S RECORDS NO. NAME POS. YR. HT. HOMETOWN/HIGH SCHOOL (PREV. TEAM) OVERALL (D-I) 216-218 AT ROBERT MORRIS 120-137 1 Nikolette Zanolli L/DS Sr. 5-6 Massillon, Ohio/Jackson AGAINST THE NEC 85-35 2 Alyson Londot OH So. 5-10 Utica, Ohio/Utica DALE STARR YEAR-BY-YEAR SEASON SCHOOL RECORD/FINISH 3 Erika Wilt OH/DS So. 5-9 Temperance, Mich./Bedford 2017 Robert Morris 14-17 / 4th 4 Liz Campbell MB/RS Sr. 6-0 Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee 2016 Robert Morris 14-16 / 5th 2015 Robert Morris 19-13 / 2nd 5 Whitney Brown S So. 5-7 Pittsburgh, Pa./Avonworth 2014 Robert Morris 15-17 / 2nd 2013 Robert Morris 9-22 / 4th 6 Skylar Clements MB So. 6-3 Littleton, Colo./Mountain Vista 2012 Robert Morris 17-17 / 2nd 2011 Robert Morris 15-17 / 4th 7 Maria Alfano MB So. 6-2 Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley 2010 Robert Morris 17-18 / 2nd 2009 McNeese State 17-13 / T-4th East 8 Emma Granger MB So. 6-4 Dalton, Ohio/Dalton 2008 McNeese State 12-18 / 3rd East 9 Alyssa Hudak OH Fr. 6-0 Medina, Ohio/Medina 2007 McNeese State 19-14 / 2nd East 2006 McNeese State 15-14 / 1st East 10 Allie Yurkovich L/DS Sr. 5-7 Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson 2005 McNeese State 15-11 / 5th 11 Emily Devlin RS Fr. 5-10 Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley 2004 McNeese State 18-11 / T-4th Dale Starr enters his ninth season as head coach of the Robert Morris 12 Megan Cannon S Fr. 5-10 New Franken, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco University volleyball team in 2018. 14 Taylor Lord OH Sr. 5-9 Inwood, W. Va./Musselman Starr brings a vast background in collegiate coaching to Robert Morris, having served as the head coach at McNeese State University from 15 Lauren Kolenik OH/RS So. 6-0 New Kensington, Pa./Serra Catholic (E. Kentucky) 2004 until he joined RMU in 2010. He was also the head coach at 17 Mirna Sarjanovic OH Fr. 6-0 Zagreb, Croatia/Vth Gymnasium Division-II Mississippi University for Women from 1999 to 2002. RMU’s recent success is due in part to a dominant team blocking effort, an area which Starr completely overhauled in his first season with the Head Coach: Dale Starr (9th season at Robert Morris; Northern Colorado ‘95) program. As a result, the Colonials have ranked third or better in the Northeast Conference in team blocking in six of Starr’s eight seasons at Assistant Coach: Danny Doherty (8th season at Robert Morris; Kent State ‘10) the helm. Volunteer Assistant: Matt Stehlik (6th season at Robert Morris) He has continued the proud tradition of RMU volleyball, on and off the court, by guiding the Colonials to an 83-35 mark in league play and has defeated every team in the conference at least four times. Eight different players have earned All-NEC honors on his watch, and the Colonials PRONUNCIATION GUIDE have combined for 15 all-conference nods altogether under Starr. Nikolette Zanolli zuh-NOLL-ee Lauren Kolenik kuh-LEN-ick In 2017 Robert Morris qualified for its 18th NEC Tournament in 19 years with an 8-6 record against conference foes, prolonging a streak of 19 Skylar Clements KLEH-ments Mirna Sarjanovic MEER-na sar-YAWN-o-vitch straight winning conference records that is unmatched in NEC history, Maria Alfano al-FAWN-o and Emma Granger became the fourth NEC Rookie of the Year in program history. Furthermore, the team won its second consecutive AVCA Alyssa Hudak HOO-dak Danny Doherty DOE-her-tee (American Volleyball Coaches Association) Team Academic Award and Allie Yurkovich YER-kuh-vitch Matt Stehlik STELL-ick fourth under Starr, and made the AVCA Honor Roll for its 3.727 team grade-point average, one of the top 25 in NCAA Division I for 2017-18. In 2016, RMU tallied an 8-6 mark in NEC play and finished with a winning conference record for the 18th consecutive season, extending the longest such streak of any NEC member, past or present. Under LETTERWINNERS Starr’s guidance, the Colonials ranked in the top three in the NEC in six categories including opponent hitting percentage, assists, kills, blocks, RETURNING 10 LOST 5 service aces and digs. Maria Alfano | So. - MB Deja Tamlin | Sr. - OH Starr led the Colonials to their eighth NEC Tournament title in 2015, the first of his RMU tenure. Robert Morris defeated three-time Whitney Brown | So. - S Holly Brennan | Jr. - RS defending NEC champion LIU Brooklyn on its home court in an epic 3-1 Liz Campbell | Sr. - MB/RS Brianna Frakes | Sr. - S comeback after RMU dropped set one. With the win, Robert Morris received an automatic bid to the 2015 NCAA Tournament, where its Skylar Clements | So. - MB Jessie Kaczmarek | Jr. - L/DS sixth appearance in program history saw the Colonials fall to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the First Round. April Krivoniak was named 2015 NEC Emma Granger | So. - MB Caroline Bain | Jr. - RS Tournament Most Valuable Player, while Brianna Frakes and Kristin Alyson Londot | So. - OH Thompson joined her on the All-Tournament Team. Taylor Lord | Sr. - OH Robert Morris’ 19 overall wins in 2015 were the most achieved in a season under Starr. The Colonials went undefeated in the month of Mirna Sarjanovic | So. - OH November and entered the NCAA Tournament riding a seven-game winning streak. RMU finished second overall in the conference and led Erika Wilt | OH/DS the league in digs per set and total blocks. Thompson paced the NEC in Allie Yurkovich | Sr. - L/DS hitting percentage, Frakes led in assists and Leah Dunivan ranked first in blocks per game. In 2014, Starr saw his team compile its best conference record (12-2) since he took over the program. He led the Colonials to their first NEC Tournament title match since 2010 and had three student-athletes earn ROSTER BREAKDOWN All-NEC accolades – a season-best under his direction. RMU paced the league in blocks, averaging 2.41 per set and 2.92 in conference matches. BY CLASS BY STATE/COUNTRY The Colonials also finished second in digs, opponent hitting percentage, and hitting percentage. SENIORS 3 Colorado 1 In 2013, Starr guided a senior-less RMU team to their 15th consecutive NEC Tournament berth, finishing the conference slate with an 8-6 Liz Campbell MB/RS Skylar Clements So. - MB record. The Colonials led the conference in digs and Starr had a student- athlete make an All-NEC team for the fourth straight season. On Oct. Taylor Lord OH Croatia 1 19, Starr earned his 200th career win with a straight-set victory over Allie Yurkovich L/DS Mirna Sarjanovic So. - OH archrival Saint Francis University. With a senior-heavy roster in 2012, Starr led the Colonials to their 14th SOPHOMORES 8 Michigan 1 consecutive NEC Tournament behind the strength of 13 regular-season wins against NEC foes. Despite a slow start in early-season tournaments, Maria Alfano MB Erika Wilt So. - OH/DS Starr led RMU to a thrilling five-set victory over West Virginia, the first victory over a Big XII team in program history. Whitney Brown S Ohio 5 Perhaps the signature win of the 2011 season, and one of the team’s more notable non-conference triumphs under Starr, was the 3-0 sweep Skylar Clements MB Liz Campbell Sr. - MB/RS of cross-town rival Pitt at the fabled Sewall Center Oct. 12. The straight- set decision was the first win over the Panthers in program history. Emma Granger MB Emma Granger So. - MB Behind a 10-6 record in the NEC, the Colonials would earn a postseason berth for the 13th consecutive time, while two of Starr’s student- Lauren Kolenik OH/RS Alyssa Hudak Fr. - OH athletes would earn All-NEC accolades. Alyson Londot OH Alyson Londot So. - OH In his first season with Robert Morris, two of Starr’s student-athletes claimed first team all-conference honors in 2010 and a total of four Mirna Sarjanovic OH Nikolette Zanolli Fr. - L/DS claimed weekly honors from the NEC. Many highlights of that maiden voyage, however, happened in the classroom, as the Colonials would Erika Wilt OH/DS Pennsylvania 5 earn their first of back-to-back AVCA Team Awards. FRESHMEN 4 Maria Alfano So. - MB While at McNeese State, Starr recorded an overall record of 96-81 and a league record of 57-43 in the Southland Conference. During his tenure, Megan Cannon S Whitney Brown So. - S he coached five teams to conference tournaments, with three of them making semifinal appearances. Emily Devlin RS Emily Devlin Fr. - RS He earned his first head coach positon at the Mississippi University for Women, where he produced three First Team Academic All-Americans. Alyssa Hudak OH Lauren Kolenik So. - OH/RS He led his team to a third-place finish in the GSC West Division and a berth in the GSC Tournament for the first time since 1996. He finished Nikolette Zanolli L/DS Allie Yurkovich Sr. - L/DS with an overall record of 50-47 in three seasons. West Virginia 1 Before his collegiate debut, Starr worked as a head coach at Eagle Valley High School, Highland High School and Colorado Extreme Volleyball Taylor Lord Sr. - OH Club and also worked as a volunteer assistant for his alma mater, the University of Northern Colorado. Wisconsin 1 Starr is married to Michelle Starr (19 years). The couple have two Megan Cannon Fr. - S daughters, Kalee (17) and Madi (13). 2018 ROBERT MORRIS COLONIALS VOLLEYBALL 3 AROUND THE NEC #1 NIKOLETTE ZANOLLI - FRESHMAN LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST - MASSILLON, OHIO SEASON CATEGORY CAREER 2017 STANDINGS ...... KILLS...... SCHOOL NEC PCT OVR PCT ...... HITTING %...... Central Connecticut* 11-3 .786 19-8 .704 ...... DIGS ...... LIU Brooklyn* 11-3 .786 20-10 .667 ...... SERVICE ACES...... Bryant* 11-3 .786 21-12 .636 ...... BLOCKS...... POINTS...... Robert Morris* 8-6 .571 14-17 .452 Sacred Heart 6-8 .429 12-15 .444 Saint Francis U 6-8 .429 12-15 .444 #2 ALYSON LONDOT - SOPHOMORE OUTSIDE HITTER - UTICA, OHIO St. Francis Brooklyn 2-12 .143 8-21 .276 SEASON CATEGORY CAREER Fairleigh Dickinson 1-13 .071 5-24 .172 17, at LIU Brooklyn (10/6/17)..KILLS...... 17, at LIU Brooklyn (10/6/17) .450, vs. Canisius (9/1/17)...... HITTING %...... 450, vs. Canisius (9/1/17) * Clinched NEC Tournament berth 30, at Saint Francis (9/22/17)..DIGS...... 30, at Saint Francis (9/22/17) MOLTEN/NEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK 4, vs. SFBK (10/21/17)...... SERVICE ACES...... 4, vs. SFBK (10/21/17) WEEK 1: Viktoria Fink (OH), LIU Brooklyn 4.0, vs. Rutgers (9/16/17)...... BLOCKS...... 4.0, vs. Rutgers (9/16/17) WEEK 2: Samantha McCreath (OH), Central Conn. 19.5, Two times...... POINTS...... 19.5, Two times WEEK 3: Maddie Smith (MB), Central Conn. WEEK 4: Julia Flynn (OH), Bryant WEEK 5: Viktoria Fink (OH), LIU Brooklyn #3 ERIKA WILT - SOPHOMORE OUTSIDE HITTER/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST - TEMPERANCE, MICH. WEEK 6: Kelsey Roush (OH), Saint Francis U SEASON CATEGORY CAREER WEEK 7 (TIE): Aleksandra Gligoric (OH), St. Francis 1, vs. Oakland (8/26/17)...... KILLS...... 1, vs. Oakland (8/26/17) Brooklyn; Viktoria Fink (OH), LIU Brooklyn 1.000, vs. Oakland (8/26/17) HITTING %...... 1.000, vs. Oakland (8/26/17) WEEK 8 (TIE): Makayla Dole (OH), Sacred Heart; 14, vs. Bryant (11/10/17)...... DIGS ...... 14, vs. Bryant, (11/10/17) Kelsey Roush (OH), Saint Francis U 2, Two times...... ACES...... 2, Two times WEEK 9: Brianna Frakes (S), Robert Morris ...... BLOCKS...... WEEK 10: Viktoria Fink (OH), LIU Brooklyn 2.0, Two times...... POINTS...... 2.0, Two times WEEK 11: Maddie Smith (MB), Central Conn. WEEK 12: Lindsey Massicotte (DS), Central Conn. MOLTEN/NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK #4 LIZ CAMPBELL - SENIOR MIDDLE BLOCKER/RIGHT SIDE HITTER - SPRINGFIELD, OHIO WEEK 1: Natalia Rivera (LIB), LIU Brooklyn SEASON CATEGORY CAREER 10, at CCSU (10/14/17)...... KILLS...... 10, at CCSU (10/14/17) WEEK 2: Natalia Rivera (LIB), LIU Brooklyn .667, at Bryant (10/13/17)...... HITTING %...... 1.000, vs. Brown (9/12/15) WEEK 3 (TIE): Jenna Veres (DS), Saint Francis U; Lind- 4, vs. Rutgers (9/16/17)...... DIGS...... 11, vs. Georgetown (9/4/15) sey Massicotte (DS), Central Conn...... SERVICE ACES...... WEEK 4: Natalia Rivera (DS), LIU Brooklyn 5.0, at CCSU (10/14/17)...... BLOCKS...... 5.0, at CCSU (10/14/17) WEEK 5: Grace Richmeyer (MB), Bryant 12.5, at CCSU (10/14/17)...... POINTS...... 12.5, at CCSU (10/14/17) WEEK 6: Jenna Veres (LIB), Saint Francis U WEEK 7: Natalia Rivera (LIB), LIU Brooklyn WEEK 8: Gianna Scioletti (MB), Sacred Heart #5 WHITNEY BROWN - SOPHOMORE SETTER - PITTSBURGH, PA. WEEK 9: Natalia Rivera (LIB), LIU Brooklyn SEASON CATEGORY CAREER WEEK 10: Lindsey Massicotte (DS), Central Conn. 1, vs. Coppin state (9/2/17)...... KILLS...... 1, vs. Coppin State (9/2/17) WEEK 11: Maddie Smith (MB), Central Conn...... HITTING %...... WEEK 12: Lindsey Massicotte (DS), Central Conn. 18, at Butler (8/26/17)...... DIGS...... 18, at Butler (8/26/17) MOLTEN/NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK 3, at Butler (8/26/17)...... SERVICE ACES...... 8, at Butler (8/26/17) WEEK 1: Erika Ward (LIB), Bryant 2.0, vs. Coppin State (9/2/17).BLOCKS...... 2.0, vs. Coppin State (9/2/17) WEEK 2: Samantha McCreath (OH), Central Conn. 3.0, at Butler (8/26/17) ...... POINTS...... 3.0, at Butler (8/26/17) WEEK 3: Emma Granger (MB), Robert Morris WEEK 4: Emma Granger (MB), Robert Morris WEEK 5: Alyson Londot (OH), Robert Morris #6 SKYLAR CLEMENTS - SOPHOMORE MIDDLE BLOCKER - LITTLETON, COLO. WEEK 6: Emma Granger (MB), Robert Morris SEASON CATEGORY CAREER WEEK 7: Eline van Heijningen (MH), Central Conn. 6, at butler (8/26/17)...... KILLS...... 6, at butler (8/26/17) WEEK 8: Emma Henderson (OH), Central Conn. 1.000, Two times...... HITTING %...... 1.000, Two times WEEK 9: Emma Granger (MB), Robert Morris 1, Two times...... DIGS...... 1, Two times WEEK 10: Piper Matsumoto (S), LIU Brooklyn ...... SERVICE ACES...... WEEK 11: Samantha McCreath (OH), Central Conn. 2.0, Three times...... BLOCKS...... 2.0, Three times WEEK 12: Samantha McCreath (OH), Central Conn. 6.5, at Butler (8/26/17)...... POINTS...... 6.5, at Butler (8/26/17) FIRST TEAM ALL-NORTHEAST CONFERENCE Viktoria Fink (OH), LIU Brooklyn Julia Flynn (OH), Bryant #7 MARIA ALFANO - SOPHOMORE MIDDLE BLOCKER - CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA. Aleksandra Gligoric (OH), St. Francis Brooklyn SEASON CATEGORY CAREER Emma Granger (MB), Robert Morris 18, at SHU (10/27/17)...... KILLS...... 18, at SHU (10/27/17) Nina Petrovic (OH), LIU Brooklyn .619, at La Salle (9/9/17)...... HITTING %...... 619, at La Salle (9/9/17) Kirstyn Sperry (S), Bryant 4, vs. Eastern Michigan (8/25/17)...DIGS...... 4, vs. Eastern Michigan (8/25/17) Jenna Veres (LIB), Saint Francis U ...... SERVICE ACES...... SECOND TEAM ALL-NORTHEAST CONFERENCE 7.0, at SHU (10/27/17)...... BLOCKS...... 7.0, at SHU (10/27/17) Makayla Dole (OH), Sacred Heart 22.0, at SHU (10/27/17)...... POINTS...... 22.0, at SHU (10/27/17) Filippa Hansson (MB), LIU Brooklyn Madelyn Kaprelyan (OPP), Central Conn. #8 EMMA GRANGER - SOPHOMORE MIDDLE BLOCKER - DALTON, OHIO Lindsey Massicotte (LIB), Central Conn. SEASON CATEGORY CAREER Kelsey Roush (OH), Saint Francis U 18, vs. Penn (9/15/17)...... KILLS...... 18, vs. Penn (9/15/17) Maddie Smith (MB), Central Conn. .609, vs. Canisius (9/1/17)...... HITTING %...... 609, vs. Canisius (9/1/17) Morgan Woycik (RS), Central Conn. 6, at La Salle (9/9/17)...... DIGS...... 6, at La Salle (9/9/17) AWARD WINNERS 6, Two times...... SERVICE ACES...... 6, Two times PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Viktoria Fink, LIU Brooklyn 10.0, at SHU (10/27/17)...... BLOCKS...... 10.0, at SHU (10/27/17) SETTER OF THE YEAR: Kirstyn Sperry, Bryant 22.0, vs. SFU (11/3/17)...... POINTS...... 22.0, vs. SFU (11/3/17) DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jenna Veres, SFU ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Emma Granger, Robert Morris 4 ROBERT MORRIS AT THE CATAMOUNT VOLLEYBALL CLASSIC #9 ALYSSA HUDAK - FRESHMAN OUTSIDE HITTER - MEDINA, OHIO ROBERT MORRIS WHEN... SEASON CATEGORY CAREER ...... KILLS...... GENERAL 2017 UNDER STARR ...... HITTING %...... Overall 14-17 120-137 ...... DIGS...... Home 6-4 57-36 ...... SERVICE ACES...... Away 4-9 49-59 ...... BLOCKS...... Neutral 4-4 14-42 ...... POINTS...... Non-Conference 6-11 37-102 Conference 8-6 83-35 #10 ALLIE YURKOVICH - SENIOR LIBERO/DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST - JEFFERSON HILLS, PA. Conference Home 5-2 42-17 SEASON CATEGORY CAREER Conference Road 3-4 41-18 1, Two times...... KILLS...... 1, Four times 1.000, Two times...... HITTING %...... 1.000, Three times BY SETS 26, vs. LIU (10/20/17)...... DIGS...... 26, vs. LIU (10/20/17) 3-Set Match 7-7 55-70 3, Three times...... SERVICE ACES...... 3, Three times 4-Set Match 4-4 42-45 ...... BLOCKS...... 5-Set Match 3-6 23-22 3.0, Three times...... POINTS...... 12.0, at Duquesne (9/27/16) RMU Wins Set One 10-2 95-26 RMU Loses Set One 3-15 24-111 #11 EMILY DEVLIN - FRESHMAN RIGHT SIDE HITTER - ZELIENOPLE, PA. SEASON CATEGORY CAREER ...... KILLS...... BY KILLS ...... HITTING %...... Leading in Kills 9-4 72-8 ...... DIGS...... Trailing in Kills 5-13 43-128 ...... SERVICE ACES...... Tied in Kills 0-0 5-1 ...... BLOCKS...... POINTS...... BY DIGS Leading in Digs 9-6 91-46 #12 MEGAN CANNON - FRESHMAN SETTER - NEW FRANKEN, WIS. Trailing in Digs 5-10 28-83 SEASON CATEGORY CAREER Tied in Digs 0-1 1-8 ...... KILLS...... HITTING %...... BY BLOCKS ...... DIGS...... Leading in Blocks 7-6 91-44 ...... SERVICE ACES...... Trailing in Blocks 6-11 25-78 ...... BLOCKS...... Tied in Blocks 1-0 4-15 ...... POINTS...... BY HITTING PERCENTAGE #14 TAYLOR LORD - SENIOR OUTSIDE HITTER - INWOOD, W.VA. Leading in Hitting % 13-2 106-15 SEASON CATEGORY CAREER Trailing in Hitting % 1-14 14-121 21, at YSU (8/29/17)...... KILLS...... 21, Two times Tied in Hitting % 0-0 ----- .350, vs. SHU (9/29/17)...... HITTING %...... 478, vs. St. Francis Brooklyn (11/1/15) Hitting .200 or better 10-4 89-26 24, vs. SFU (11/3/17)...... DIGS...... 26, vs. Bryant (11/14/15) 5, vs. SFU (11/3/17)...... SERVICE ACES...... 5, vs. SFU (11/3/17) Hitting below .200 4-13 31-111 5.0, at SHU (10/27/17)...... BLOCKS...... 6.0, vs. Bucknell (9/3/16) Opp. Hit Above .200 2-15 17-105 24.0, at LIU (10/6/17)...... POINTS...... 24.0 at LIU Brooklyn (10/6/17) Opp. Hit Below .200 12-2 103-32

#15 LAUREN KOLENIK - SOPHOMORE OUTSIDE HITTER/RIGHT SIDE HITTER - NEW KENSINGTON, PA. BY SERVICE ACES SEASON CATEGORY CAREER Leading in Aces 11-11 83-37 14, vs. Tenn. State (10/28/17)...KILLS...... 14, vs. Tenn. State (10/28/17) Trailing in Aces 1-6 26-82 .391, vs. Tenn. Tech (9/29/17).HITTING %...... 391, vs. Tenn. Tech (9/29/17) Tied in Aces 2-0 11-18 4, at UNLV (8/29/17)...... DIGS...... 4, at UNLV (8/29/17) 1, Four times...... SERVICE ACES...... 1, Four times MISCELLANEOUS 4.0, Two times...... BLOCKS...... 4.0, Two times On Monday 0-0 1-1 17.0, at Belmont (9/23/17).....POINTS...... 17.0, at Belmont (9/23/17) On Tuesday 0-2 2-18 On Wednesday 0-0 8-3 #17 MIRNA SARJANOVIC - SOPHOMORE OUTSIDE HITTER - ZAGREB, CROATIA On Thursday 0-0 1-0 SEASON CATEGORY CAREER On Friday 8-8 19-39 13, at La Salle (9/9/17)...... KILLS...... 13, at La Salle (9/9/17) On Saturday 6-7 64-55 .389, vs. Coppin State (9/2/17)...HITTING %...... 389, vs. Coppin State (9/2/17) On Sunday 0-0 25-21 19, at La Salle (9/9/17)...... DIGS...... 19, at La Salle (9/9/17) In August 1-4 6-22 3, Two times...... SERVICE ACES...... 3, Two times In September 8-5 38-68 4.0, vs. Navy (9/9/17)...... BLOCKS...... 4.0, vs. Navy (9/9/17) 15.0, vs. Oakland (8/26/17)....POINTS...... 11.0, vs. Oakland (8/26/17) In October 4-5 49-28 In November 1-3 27-18 In December 0-0 0-1

2018 ROBERT MORRIS COLONIALS VOLLEYBALL 5 2017 Robert Morris Volleyball Statistics Robert Morris Combined Team Statistics (as of Nov 17, 2017) All matches

Overall record: 14-17 Conf: 8-6 Home: 6-4 Away: 4-9 Neutral: 4-4

Attack Set Serve Dig Blocking ## Player sp k k/s e ta pct a a/s sa se sa/s re dig dig/s bs ba total blk/s be bhe points 8 GRANGER, Emma 114 333 2.92 99 696 .3 3 6 6 0.05 61 67 0.54 0 61 0.54 13 97 110 0.96 16 1 - 7 ALFANO, Maria 109 242 2.22 72 609 .2 7 9 4 0.04 0 2 0.00 0 23 0.21 5 76 81 0.74 11 2 - 10 YURKOVICH, Allie 114 2 0.02 1 4 .2 5 0 82 0.72 31 47 0.27 17 404 3.54 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 - 12 FRAKES, Brianna 115 46 0.40 18 147 .1 9 0 976 8.49 17 22 0.15 2 278 2.42 2 23 25 0.22 7 18 - 2 LONDOT, Alyson 110 260 2.36 126 815 .1 6 4 14 0.13 32 35 0.29 40 272 2.47 3 32 35 0.32 8 0 - 6 CLEMENTS, Skylar 22 24 1.09 15 59 .1 5 3 1 0.05 0 0 0.00 0 2 0.09 2 8 10 0.45 3 0 - 4 CAMPBELL, Liz 44 49 1.11 25 159 .1 5 1 2 0.05 0 0 0.00 0 15 0.34 1 22 23 0.52 3 0 - 14 LORD, Taylor 100 226 2.26 119 806 .1 3 3 16 0.16 27 21 0.27 37 314 3.14 3 28 31 0.31 4 3 - 17 SARJANOVIC, Mirna 84 115 1.37 55 464 .1 2 9 14 0.17 20 29 0.24 17 213 2.54 0 18 18 0.21 2 2 - 1 TAMLIN, Deja 90 107 1.19 63 345 .1 2 8 2 0.02 0 0 0.00 1 45 0.50 0 44 44 0.49 3 1 - 15 WILT, Erika 96 1 0.01 0 9 .1 1 1 13 0.14 11 8 0.11 11 139 1.45 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 - 16 BAIN, Caroline 23 23 1.00 16 79 .0 8 9 1 0.04 0 0 0.00 0 8 0.35 0 10 10 0.43 2 0 - 0 KACZMAREK, Jessie 5 0 0.00 0 1 .0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0.00 0 2 0.40 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 - 11 BRENNAN, Holly 17 6 0.35 12 46 - .1 3 0 0 0.00 0 0 0.00 0 6 0.35 1 5 6 0.35 1 0 - 5 BROWN, Whitney 53 1 0.02 3 9 - .2 2 2 189 3.57 10 12 0.19 1 110 2.08 0 2 2 0.04 0 4 - ROBERT MORRIS 119 1435 12.06 624 4248 .1 9 1 1320 11.09 209 243 1.76 132 1892 15.90 30 365 212.5 1.79 60 31 - Opponents 119 1503 12.63 633 4329 .2 0 1 1390 11.68 132 228 1.11 209 1881 15.81 50 383 241.5 2.03 68 41 -

Team Statistics RMU OPP Date Opponent Score Score by set Att. ATTACK Aug 25 vs Stony Brook W 3-1 25-12,22-25,26-24,25-10 282 K i l ls 1435 1503 Aug 25 vs Eastern Michigan L 0-3 18-25,18-25,21-25 276 E r r o r s 624 633 Aug 26 at Butler L 2-3 25-21,21-25,18-25,29-27,4-15 356 Total Attacks 4248 4329 Aug 26 vs Oakland L 1-3 25-15,20-25,22-25,15-25 267 Attack Pct .1 9 1 .2 0 1 Aug 29 at Youngstown State L 2-3 22-25,23-25,25-18,25-18,11-15 318 K i l ls / S e t 12.1 12.6 Sep 01 vs Northern Kentucky L 0-3 13-25,20-25,18-25 137 SET Sep 01 vs Canisius W 3-0 25-21,25-18,25-23 126 A s s is t s 1320 1390 Sep 02 vs Coppin State W 3-0 25-10,25-17,25-19 84 A s s is t s / S e t 11.1 11.7 2Sep 02 at Duquesne L 0-3 20-25,22-25,20-25 201 SERVE Sep 08 vs Siena W 3-0 25-17,26-24,25-18 71 A c e s 209 132 Sep 09 vs Navy L 0-3 25-27,21-25,23-25 101 E r r o r s 243 228 Sep 09 at La Salle W 3-2 17-25,25-17,29-31,25-9,16-14 85 A c e s / S e t 1.8 1.1 Sep 15 MIDDLE TENN. STATE L 2-3 22-25,23-25,25-20,25-20,7-15 101 SERVE RECEPTIONS Sep 15 PENN L 2-3 17-25,25-23,19-25,25-22,12-15 133 E r r o r s 132 209 Sep 16 RUTGERS W 3-0 25-20,25-20,25-21 136 E r r o r s /S e t 1.1 1.8 *Sep 22 at SFU W 3-1 19-25,25-16,25-23,25-22 0 DEFENSE *Sep 29 SHU W 3-0 27-25,26-24,25-15 157 D ig s 1892 1881 *Sep 30 FDU W 3-0 26-24,25-16,25-23 135 D ig s /S e t 15.9 15.8 *Oct 06 at LIU Brooklyn L 2-3 24-26,23-25,25-21,25-23,13-15 75 BLOCKING *Oct 07 at St. Francis Brooklyn L 1-3 16-25,25-18,18-25,26-28 75 Block Solo 30 50 *Oct 13 at BRYANT L 0-3 21-25,21-25,23-25 390 Block Assist 365 383 *Oct 14 at Central Connecticut L 1-3 21-25,21-25,25-15,21-25 167 Total Blocks 212.5 241.5 *Oct 20 LIU BROOKLYN W 3-1 25-23,23-25,25-23,25-20 125 B lo c k s / S e t 1.8 2.0 *Oct 21 ST. FRANCIS BROOKLYN W 3-1 25-19,25-15,21-25,25-14 194 Block Errors 60 68 *Oct 27 at SHU W 3-2 23-25,23-25,25-22,25-20,18-16 125 Ball handling errors 31 41 *Oct 28 at FDU W 3-0 25-7,25-19,25-21 91 ATTENDANCE Oct 31 at West Virginia L 0-3 10-25,23-25,15-25 361 T o t a l 1495 2451 *Nov 03 SFU W 3-2 25-11,20-25,16-25,25-17,16-14 203 Dates/Avg Per Date 10/150 13/189 *Nov 10 BRYANT L 0-3 17-25,19-25,20-25 148 Neutral site #/Avg 8/168 *Nov 11 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT L 2-3 19-25,32-30,28-26,20-25,7-15 163 Current win streak 0 - Nov 17 at #1 LIU Brooklyn L 1-3 23-25,8-25,25-18,20-25 207 Home win streak 0 - Record in 3-set matches:7-7 • Record in 4-set matches:4-4 • Record in 5-set matches:3-6