MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The 19 ranked St. Thomas University volleyball team looks to keep its undefeated record in tact in Montgomery, Ala., where the Bobcats are set to take on Texas A&M Texarkana, Reinhardt, William Carey and Freed-Hardeman at the Faulkner Invitational on Friday, Aug. 23 and Saturday, Aug. 24.
Match Information: FAULKNER INVITATIONAL
Date: Friday, Aug. 23 | 2 pm (Texas A&M Texarkana), 6 pm (Reinhardt)
Saturday, Aug. 24 | 10 am (William Carey), 12 pm (Freed-Hardeman)
Location: Montgomery, Ala. | Tine W. Davis Gymnasium
Media Coverage: Live Stats (
Friday) (
Saturday) |
Live Video
About St. Thomas
St. Thomas (5-0) takes its lone regular season trip outside of the Sunshine State after capping a 5-0 opening weekend with a 3-2 come-from-behind triumph over 22 ranked Valley City State on Saturday, Aug. 17. The Bobcats head to the Alabama capital averaging 14.1 kills per set on a .268 hitting percentage with 12.9 assists, 15.7 digs, 2.1 service aces and 1.8 blocks.
Reigning Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week
Bianca Grassi anchors STU's defense behind 6.28 digs, while
Tayla Barnes uses a team-best 2.94 kills and 0.89 blocks to spark the Bobcats.
Payton Bertke orchestrates the offense with 10.39 assists and
Alexandra Bruno serves a team-high 0.67 aces.
About the Eagles
Texas A&M-Texarkana opens its season at the Faulkner Invitational following a 25-9 campaign in 2023 that ended in the Red River Athletic Conference Semifinals. The Eagles averaged 11.4 kills on a .175 clip with 10.6 assists, 15.6 digs, 2.2 service aces and 2.2 blocks.
All-Conference Second Team honoree Mia Mata led the offense last season with 2.48 while Newcomer of the Year Ja-Kerra Holt adds 1.91 kills and 0.70 blocks. All-Conference Honorable Mention Madison Arrieta recorded a team-best 3.50 digs and 0.49 service aces.
About the Eagles
Reinhardt heads to Montgomery to kick off its 2024 season after going 22-8 last fall and advancing to the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament second round. The Eagles averaged 13.0 kills in 2023 on a .225 hitting percentage with 12.12 assists, 16.50 digs, 1.92 service aces and 1.60 blocks.
Juliette Baffico boasted 3.12 kills last season, getting her feeds from All-Conference First Team member Ashlynn Barnes who dishes out 10.10 assists on top of a team-best 0.59 aces and 2.91 digs which leads the returners. Jenna Smith added a team-high 0.59 blocks
About the Crusaders
William Carey (3-1) ventures to Faulkner after concluding play in the Phoenix Classic with a 3-1 victory over Fisk on Saturday, Aug. 17. The Crusaders average 12.4 kills on a .195 clip with 11.8 assists, 16.8 digs, 2.0 blocks and 1.8 service aces.
Suelen Lima paces the offense behind 3.71 kills, getting her feeds from Macella Hermont who tallies 9.59 assists on top of a team-leading 0.41 service aces. Avelyn Araujo anchors the defense behind 4.29 digs while Barbara Guedes boasts 1.06 blocks.
About the Lions
Freed-Hardeman kicks off its 2024 season at the Faulkner Invitational, taking on Faulkner and Keiser on Friday, Aug. 23 before taking on STU. The Lions went 13-16 last season, qualifying for the Mid-South Conference Tournament.
Charley Fulton and Alanys Ruis Rivera highlight the returners for FHU, with the pair earning All-Conference Second Team selection.
Up Next
The Bobcats host welcome Nova Southeastern for a scrimmage on Tuesday, Aug. 27 before co-hosting the South Florida Invitational with Florida Memorial on Saturday, Aug, 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1.
