Kingston, R.I. - The Stony Brook volleyball team travels to Kingston, Rhode Island, for three matches at the Art Carmichael Invitational Friday and Saturday. The Seawolves will face Rhode Island and Notre Dame in the first day before a Saturday matinee against San Diego State.
Last Time Out: Iona
The Seawolves picked up a four-set win over Iona in Wednesday's home opener at Pritchard Gymnasium. Sophomore McKyla Brooks led the way with 14 kills, while sophomore Morgan Kath posted a career-high 49 assists.
Scouting the Rams
Rhode Island enters the weekend at 3-3 on the year and has won its last three, as the Rams picked up a trio of sweeps last weekend over Hartford, Central Connecticut and Manhattan.
Audrey Castro leads the Rams with 3.68 kills/set, while Layne Self ranks second in the A10 in blocks/set (1.32) and fifth in hitting percentage (.368). Callan Kinnan paces the A10 in assists/set (10.86).
The Last Time We Met: Rhode Island
McKyla Brooks tallied a career-high 15 kills, but the Seawolves were held off in four sets by the Rams Sept. 18, 2015 at Pritchard Gymnasium.
Stony Brook is 1-4 all-time against Rhode Island with the lone victory coming in 2006.
Scouting the Fighting Irish
Notre Dame opened the year 3-0 at home and went 1-2 last weekend with a victory over Howard. The Irish went 7-25 a year ago and 2-18 in the ACC.
Sam Fry leads the Irish with 2.71 kills/set, while Caroline Holt has posted a team-high 11.62 assists/set. Notre Dame has been blocked 2.74 times/set.
Scouting the Aztecs
San Diego State is 3-4 on the year following a midweek defeat to UC Irvine Tuesday night. The Aztecs picked up win over UC Davis and Murray State last weekend at Oregon.
Alexandra Psoma leads San Diego State with 2.62 kills/set among qualifying players, while Tamia Reeves has 2.80 kills/set over 10 sets of action. The Aztecs have just three players - Deja Harris, Alexis Cage and Hailey Jones - who have played in all 27 sets this season.
New York State of Mind
The Seawolves have defeated nine New York State opponents since Coach Pawlikowski took over in 2013 (Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Columbia, Fordham, Iona, Manhattan, St. Francis Brooklyn, Syracuse).
Sakowicz Sparks Seawolves
Freshman LeAnne Sakowicz was inserted into Wednesday's match in the second set and made a strong impact in the win over Iona. Sakowicz tallied career-highs in kills (10) and aces (3) while adding seven digs in the victory.
Building Blocks
Sophomore McKyla Brooks had eight blocks in the Aug. 30 match against Hofstra, which were the most in a three-set match by an America East player since Binghamton's Bianca Anderson had 10 against Siena on Sept. 8, 2014. Brooks then went on to earn all-tournament honors at the Active Ankle Challenge.
The Freshmen
All five Seawolves freshmen started in at least one match last weekend in Louisville. Maria Poole and Liz Pulver have started in all seven matches to begin the year.
Up Next: American/Fort Wayne
Stony Brook will co-host its annual home tournament with Hofstra next weekend, as two matches will be played at Pritchard Gymnasium. The Seawolves will face American Friday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m., before a 10 a.m. match Saturday vs. Fort Wayne.
