UAlbany Volleyball Returns Home to Resume America East Play

ALBANY, N.Y. – Back in America East play this weekend, the Great Danes have a chance to get into first place in the league, hosting UMass Lowell on Friday at 7 p.m., then New Hampshire on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the University Gym.

With a sweep this weekend, UAlbany, at 3-2 in-conference and 3-15 overall, could move into first place in the America East. UMass Lowell is winless going into the weekend at 0-5 in the league and 0-17 overall, while New Hampshire currently is in first place with a 4-1 league and 10-11 overall record.
This is the first meeting between UAlbany and UMass Lowell since 1998. Last season, the Great Danes defeated the Wildcats in all three meetings.

In a pair of exciting home matches, UAlbany split last weekend, falling just short in a comeback attempt to UMBC in five, then defeating then-first place Stony Brook in four sets on Sunday.

The team’s leader in many categories including kills, hit % and blocks, Amanda Dolan was honored as the America East Rookie of the Week for her performance against UMBC and Stony Brook. She hit .290 with 25 kills in the middle, committing just five attack errors.

UMass Lowell, in its first year in Division I and the America East Conference, is looking for its first win this season, standing at 0-17 and 0-5 in the league. The River Hawks are led by junior middle hitter Anisa Smith, who is hitting .165 with 97 kills and 42 blocks. The second option is junior outside hitter Ella Merrill, who has 81 kills and 94 digs.

New Hampshire comes into the weekend on a three-match winning streak to put its conference record at 4-1, standing 10-11 overall. The team’s leading attacker, sophomore outside hitter Tori Forrest, has earned 208 kills and 15 aces. Senior right side hitter Destiny Tolliver is hitting .224 with 127 kills and 75 total blocks.
UAlbany and UMass Lowell have not faced each other in a DI match, last playing in 1998 in Lowell, with the River Hawks getting a 3-1 victory. UAlbany and UNH last met in the 2012 America East Tournament Semifinals. After a close first set, the Great Danes dominated the next two games to sweep the Wildcats at the University Gym. Dunja Prgomet led UAlbany with 16 kills and 11 digs.