ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. -- The Elizabeth City State University women's volleyball team travels to Indiana, Pennsylvania this weekend for the 2025 IUP Crimson Hawk Classic, set for Friday and Saturday, September 19-20, at Ed Fry Arena. The Lady Vikings will face a competitive field that includes host IUP, Chestnut Hill, Charleston, Pitt-Johnstown, and Shepherd.

Fans can follow all the action live, with video and stats available for every match. ECSU opens the tournament against Shepherd at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, setting the stage for two days of intense volleyball action and early-season bragging rights.

Scouting the Vikings
Elizabeth City State opened the 2025 season at the Fairmont State Classic, squaring off against a tough slate of opponents. The Vikings battled hard through four matches, gaining valuable experience against Fairmont State, Slippery Rock, Palm Beach Atlantic, and UVA Wise. While the results didn't fall their way, the weekend provided important early-season tests and a chance to sharpen chemistry against quality competition. The team will look to build on those lessons as the season continues.

Top Offensive Performers
The Vikings spread the ball around during opening weekend, with several players stepping up to carry the attack. Kendall Washington led the way with 29.5 points and 26 kills, averaging 2.17 kills per set. She was joined by Jorja Hoffmann, who added 18 kills and a team-high six service aces, while Andrea Rose chipped in 22 kills. Clarke Blakemore and Christen Brisbane each provided steady scoring, combining for 31 points on the weekend. Setter Serenity Lunnermon also directed the offense effectively, dishing out 48 assists to pace the team.

Top Defensive Performers
On the back line, Bailey anchored the defense with 46 digs, averaging a team-best 3.83 per set, while also posting an excellent .961 reception percentage. Washington was steady all-around with 32 digs and nearly 100 receptions at a .949 clip. Lunnermon added 28 digs from the setter spot, and Hoffmann chipped in 16 digs along with five blocks. At the net, Blakemore provided the biggest presence, tallying a team-high nine total blocks, while Hamby was close behind with six. Rose also contributed eight block assists to round out a balanced defensive effort.

Scouting the Rams
Shepherd enters the tournament riding a four-match winning streak and an impressive 6-1 start to the 2025 campaign. The Rams opened the year at the VSU Invitational with sweeps over Bowie State and Virginia State before falling in a five-set battle with Concord. Since then, Shepherd has been rolling, notching wins at the UC-WVSU Crossover against Point Park, West Virginia State (3-2), Glenville State, and Charleston. With momentum on their side, the Rams look to continue their early-season surge.

Shepherd Top Offensive Performers
Ada McCoy has been outstanding to start the year, leading the Rams with 85 kills while hitting .302 and averaging 4.08 points per set. Sophia Ryan has also been a force at the net, adding 72 kills at a .382 clip to go with 93 total points. Amya Davis provides balance with 50 kills and a team-high 12 service aces, while Rylee Lenz adds another steady option with 46 kills on .268 hitting. Setter Macy Buso keeps the offense moving, averaging nearly 10 assists per set while contributing 22 kills of her own.

Shepherd Top Defensive Performers
Madigan Faircloth has been a standout in the back row, leading the Rams with 117 digs at 4.68 per set and a strong .939 reception percentage. Ryan set the tone at the net with a team-best 26 total blocks, averaging just over one per set, while Lenz added 21 blocks to form a solid front-line duo. McCoy contributed on both ends with 51 digs and 10 total blocks, and Buso chipped in 45 digs along with six block assists. Kiela Sanger also provided steady passing with 33 digs and a .919 reception mark.
 
Scouting the Griffins
Chestnut Hill opened the 2025 season with a strong 3-1 win at Kutztown University, showing early-season promise. Since then, the team has faced a challenging stretch on the road, falling to West Chester, Queens College, and Jefferson. Despite the 1-3 start, the games have provided valuable experience and an opportunity to refine team chemistry as the season progresses.

Chestnut Hill Top Offensive Performers
Kate Hanley has been the team's driving force, leading the squad with 43 kills and 49 total points, averaging 3.91 kills and 4.45 points per set. Nicole Dimiris has also contributed significantly with 33 kills, 40.5 points, and 11 service errors while providing a balanced attack. Kass Kimmel adds firepower with 32 kills and 33 points, while Sadie Bayko provides consistency with 17 kills and 18.5 points. Setter Sofia Rodriguez keeps the offense flowing with 124 assists, helping distribute the attack effectively across the lineup.

Chestnut Hill Top Defensive Performers
Rachel Mace has been a key contributor in the back row, leading the team with 30 digs and a .885 reception percentage. Alex Crespin anchors the defense with 49 digs and a team-high 10 reception errors, providing stability in serve receive. Sofia Rodriguez adds 38 digs while contributing four blocks, and Nicole Dimiris is effective at the net with eight total blocks. Kass Kimmel has been consistent with 31 digs and two blocks, and Sadie Bayko adds support with six digs and three blocks. Setter Rodriguez also helps direct the defense while distributing the offense with 124 assists.

Indiana (Pa.) – Scouting the Crimson Hawks
Indiana (Pa.) opened the 2025 season at the Ashland Invitational, posting wins over Daemen, Ursuline College, and West Liberty, including a three-set sweep of Ursuline and West Liberty. The team dropped a close five-set match to Ashland, showing resilience against strong competition. At the Walsh Invitational, Indiana (Pa.) earned a forfeit win over Central State and bounced back with a 3-1 victory against Walsh, though they fell to Northwood in a three-set match. The early-season slate has provided the team with valuable experience and a mix of tight battles and decisive wins as they continue to find their rhythm.

Indiana (Pa.) Top Offensive Performers
Jessica Neiman has led the offense with a dominant 74 kills and 91 total points, averaging 3.89 kills and 4.79 points per set. Delaney Concannon has also been a key contributor with 52 kills and 67.5 points, while Peyton Belcher adds 46 kills and 50.5 points. Charlotte Potvin provides balance with 32 kills and 43 total points, and Ellie Rauch has been effective as a setter with 179 assists to keep the offense flowing.

Indiana (Pa.) Top Defensive Performers
Delaney Concannon has anchored the back row with 58 digs and a .942 reception percentage, while Brooke Kessler leads the team with 76 digs and a .945 reception mark. Jessica Neiman has been a strong presence at the net with 10 blocks, and Peyton Belcher adds seven total blocks along with steady passing. Charlotte Potvin contributes 15 total blocks, and Ellie Rauch has been effective with 64 digs and four blocks. Lexi McLanahan also adds consistency with 37 digs, rounding out a well-balanced defensive effort.

Scouting the Mountain Cats
Pitt-Johnstown has gotten off to a strong start in 2025, sweeping Bloomsburg and Bowie State at the Virginia State University Tournament and following up with a 3-1 win over host Virginia State. The team continued its hot streak with a 3-0 victory against Point Park at home. At the Frostburg State Tournament, the Mountain Cats earned a hard-fought 3-1 win over Frostburg State before running into tough competition, falling to Shippensburg and Ohio Dominican. Overall, Pitt-Johnstown has shown depth and resilience, combining dominant sweeps with competitive play against strong opponents.

Pitt-Johnstown Top Offensive Performers
Ellie Zuro Cirino has been the clear offensive leader, posting 112 kills and 124.5 total points, averaging 4.67 kills and 5.19 points per set. Caroline Knight follows with 69 kills and 86 points, while Mallory Pinske adds 37 kills and 56.5 points. Dannika Susko has contributed 35 kills and 45.5 points, and Brooke Pelloni rounds out the key contributors with 20 kills and 27.5 points. Abby Berry has been a versatile presence, combining 5 kills with 241 assists to help facilitate the offense.

Pitt-Johnstown Top Defensive Performers
Jessica Krug has anchored the back row with 89 digs, averaging 5.24 per set, while Avery Koontz has added 87 digs and a .908 reception percentage. Ellie Zuro Cirino has contributed 48 digs along with 8 total blocks (3 solo, 5 assisted), and Abby Berry has 51 digs and 8 total blocks. Caroline Knight has been a consistent presence at the net with 7 total blocks and 51 digs, and Mallory Pinske has led the team in blocking with 21 total blocks (4 solo, 17 assisted). Dannika Susko has also been key defensively, recording 15 total blocks (6 solo, 9 assisted) in addition to 10 digs.

Up Next for ECSU
After competing in the IUP Crimson Hawk Classic, the Lady Vikings will turn their attention back to CIAA play, beginning a crucial stretch of conference matchups. ECSU travels to Richmond, Virginia, on Thursday, September 25, to face Virginia Union University at 6:00 p.m.

The Lady Vikings return home on Monday, September 29, to host Bowie State University at 6:00 p.m., providing fans a chance to see ECSU in action in Elizabeth City.

Following that, ECSU heads to Fayetteville for a busy weekend of conference competition at the CIAA Round Up 1. On Friday, October 3, the Lady Vikings take on Winston-Salem State at 10:00 a.m., followed by Johnson C. Smith at 4:00 p.m. The weekend concludes on Saturday, October 4, with a 2:00 p.m. matchup against Claflin University.