After starting their season with a 3-1 record at the Fairmont State Classic, SRU Volleyball hopes to feed off the energy.
The Rock started hot going 2-0 against Ursuline College and Elizabeth City State University before falling to Anderson University in three sets. They finished strong however, as they defeated the hosts Fairmont State three sets to none.
Two Rock women were named to the FSC Classic All-Tournament Team as standout performers. Erica Selfridge and Mary Berger combined for 65 kills and strongly contributed to the team’s success.
Looking forward, the team hopes to snuff out a stellar performance once more at the Hall of Fame City Challenge. The tournament begins Friday and will end Saturday in Canton, Ohio.
Last year, the women placed eleventh in the PSAC and will look to turn that around fast with two of the stronger PSAC teams off the bat.
The Green and White begin PSAC play on September 19th against reigning No.2 ranked Gannon University and follow up that weekend with a match against the former PSAC champions in Clarion.
The team returns a handful of solid performers who are ready to lead the squad to a stronger season.
Selfridge has already impressed in her junior season. In 2022, she led the team in kills and was second in digs. The Dubois, Pa. native registered 19 assists in one match last season against California. She also posted 26 digs at West Liberty for the Rock in 2022. Her impressive start shows she is ready to take an even bigger step in this campaign.
Jaeden Yost enters her sophomore season as a player to watch in 2023. In her freshman season she placed in the top five in three different statistics for the Rock squad, including first in assists and service aces. Her 603 assists were not only half of the team’s tally but also 279 more than any of her teammates.
Head coach Laurie Lokash returns for her remarkable 40th season with Slippery Rock. Lokash ranks first in PSAC history with 662 wins (21st all-time in Division II). The eighth winningest active coach in the nation and two-time PSAC Coach of the Year has created an undeniable buzz around the team in 2023.
The answer is unknown regarding the Rock’s ceiling this season but with an impressive roster, a highly decorated head coach and a fast start, this team has all the makings to go far.
