SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University volleyball team will make its annual trip to the Atlantic Region crossover, co-hosted by West Liberty University and Wheeling University, for four matches this weekend.
 
GREEN OUT SET FOR SEPT. 19
The Slippery Rock volleyball team will hold its annual "Green Out" match 7 p.m. Sept. 19 as part of its 2023 home-opener against Gannon University at Morrow Field House.
 
Fans are encouraged to wear green for the match. In addition to what should be a competitive match between SRU and the Golden Knights, Slippery Rock will also be holding serving contests between the second and third set. Anyone wearing green can enter the serving contest for free and serve until they win a prize.
 
ATLANTIC REGION CROSSOVER SCHEDULE
Slippery Rock opens play 1 p.m. Friday against host West Liberty followed by a 7 p.m. bout against Notre Dame College. Saturday's action features Slippery Rock against host Wheeling at 12 p.m. before concluding the weekend against Fairmont State University at 4 p.m.
 
LIVE COVERAGE
Live video and in-match statistics for the weekend will be available at the below links.

MATCH 9 DETAILS
Opponent: West Liberty
Date: Friday – 1 p.m.
Location: ASRC | West Liberty, West Virginia
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-match Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: SRU leads 12-8
Last Played: Sept. 9, 2022 (WLU won 3-1)
 
SERIES HISTORY vs. WEST LIBERTY
While SRU is 12-8 all-time against West Liberty, The Rock and Hilltoppers have met annually since 2013 with WLU winning eight of the 11 matches over that timespan including a four-set victory last season.
 
Top SRU Performers vs. WLU
(Per Match Average)
Erica Selfridge: 15.0 Kills, 24.5 Digs, 1.5 Blocks (2 Matches)
Alayna Chizmar: 11.0 Kills, 10.5 Digs, 2.5 Blocks (2 Matches)
Chelsie Wheeler: 7.0 Kills, 3.0 Blocks (2 Matches)
Kate Lachendro: 30.5 Digs (2 Matches)
Jaeden Yost: 21 Assists, 19 Digs (1 Match)
Peytan Gullickson: 14 Assists, 9 Digs (1 Match)
 
MATCH 10 DETAILS
Opponent: Notre Dame
Date: Friday – 7 p.m.
Location: ASRC | West Liberty, West Virginia
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-match Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: NDC leads 3-2
Last Played: Sept. 9, 2022 (SRU 3-2)
 
SERIES HISTORY vs. NOTRE DAME
Slippery Rock snapped a three-match losing streak to the Falcons, and trimmed NDC's lead in the all-time series to 3-2, with a five-set win last year behind an 11-block performance by Abigail Nigon.
 
Top SRU Performers vs. NDC
(Per Match Average)
Erica Selfridge: 8.0 Kills, 1.3 Aces, 18.3 Digs (3 Matches)
Alayna Chizmar: 8.3 Kills, 5.7 Digs (3 Matches)
Chelsie Wheeler: 6.0 Kills (3 Matches)
Kate Lachendro: 23.7 Digs, 1.0 Aces (3 Matches)
Jaeden Yost: 32 Assists, 13 Digs, 1 Ace (1 Match)
Peytan Gullickson: 17.0 Assists (2 Matches)
 
MATCH 11 DETAILS
Opponent: Wheeling
Date: Saturday – 12 p.m.
Location: McDonough Center | Wheeling, West Virginia
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-match Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: WU leads 18-5
Last Played: Sept. 10, 2022 (WU won 3-0)
 
SERIES HISTORY vs. WHEELING
The Cardinals have won 18 straight matches against The Rock to improve their record in the series to 18-5.
 
Top SRU Performers vs. WU
(Per Match Average)
Erica Selfridge: 6.5 Kills (.190) (2 Matches)
Chelsie Wheeler: 5.5 Kills (.300), 2.5 Blocks (2 Matches)
Kate Lachendro: 16 Digs, 1.5 Aces (2 Matches)
Mary Berger: 4.0 Blocks (2 Matches)
 
MATCH 12 DETAILS
Opponent: Fairmont State
Date: Saturday – 4 p.m.
Location: McDonough Center | Wheeling, West Virginia
Video: Link
Live Stats: Link
In-match Updates: Twitter/X (@Rock_Athletics)
All-Time Series: SRU leads 19-12
Last Played: Sept. 2, 2023 (SRU won 3-0)
 
SERIES HISTORY vs. FAIRMONT STATE
The Rock broke a four-match losing streak, and improved their record against FSU to 19-12 in the process, with a three-set sweep of the Fighting Falcons to close out the opening weekend of the season at the FSU Volleyball Classic earlier in the year on Sept. 2.
 
Top SRU Performers vs. FSU
(Per Match Average)
Alayna Chizmar: 6.2 Kills, 1.0 Aces, 7.8 Digs (5 Matches)
Erica Selfridge: 9.2 Kills, 11.0 Digs (5 Matches)
Chelsie Wheeler: 7.2 Kills (.315), 1.2 Blocks (5 Matches)
Kate Lachendro: 23.2 Digs, 1.6 Aces (5 Matches)
Mary Berger: 5.8 Kills, 1.8 Blocks (4 Matches)
Callie Chevalier: 8.0 Kills, 9.5 Digs, 3.0 Blocks (2 Matches)
Jaeden Yost: 20.3 Assists, 10.0 Digs, 2.3 Aces (3 Matches)
 
SLIPPERY ROCK PRIMER
Stats: Link
Roster: Link
Overall Record: 6-2
Home Record: 0-0
Away Record: 2-0
Neutral Site Record: 4-2
Streak: W3
Last Five: 4-1
Head Coach: Laurie Lokash | 40th Year (668-628 / .515)
 
ROCK STAT LEADERS
ATTACK: Erica Selfridge (76 kills / .189), Callie Chevalier (74 kills / .169)
ASSISTS: Jaeden Yost (180 / 6.67 per set)
ACES: Selfridge (11), Yost (10)
DIGS: Kate Lachendro (147 / 5.44 per set)
BLOCKS: Lauren VonderHaar (35), Chevalier/Mary Berger (16)
 
ROCK SINGLE-MATCH LEADERS
KILLS: Callie Chevalier – 17 vs. Roberts Wesleyan
ASSISTS: Jaeden Yost – 34 vs. Roberts Wesleyan
ACES: Erica Selfridge – 4 vs. Roberts Wesleyan
DIGS: Kate Lachendro – 33 vs. Roberts Wesleyan
BLOCKS: Lauren VonderHaar – 9 vs. Ursuline

SCOUTING THE ROCK
LAST TIME OUT
Slippery Rock had another strong weekend of competition at the Hall of Fame City Challenge courtesy of a 3-1 record. Following a four-set loss to Walsh to open the event, SRU rattled off four-set victories over Roberts Wesleyan and Frostburg State before capping off the weekend with a sweep of Malone.  

A ROCK SOLID START
Slippery Rock enters the third weekend of the 2023 season with an impressive 6-2 overall record. The Rock's current 6-2 mark is tied for the seventh best eight-match record to start a season in the last 50 years of Slippery Rock volleyball.
 
The only better starts to a year at The Rock came with perfect 8-0 showings in 2011 and 2017 and 7-1 records in 1985, 1993, 2006 and 2014.
 
NON-CONFERENCE DOMINANCE
Slippery Rock is 9-2 in its last 11 non-conference matches dating back to a 3-0 win at Point Park a season ago.
 
SETTING THE TONE EARLY
Slippery Rock has taken the first and second sets in six of its eight matches this year. The only two opening-set losses for The Rock thus far in 2023 came against Anderson and Walsh – their only two overall losses of the year.
 
GETTING IT DONE ON OFFENSE AND DEFENSE
A key to The Rock's early wins this season has been their efficient attack and conversely their ability to limit the oppositions success. Through eight matches, Slippery Rock ranks fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in team attack percentage at .214 all the while ranking fifth in opponent attack percentage (.140).
 
Slippery Rock's offense has posted a hitting percentage of at least .180 six times this season. Meanwhile, opponents have finished matches against SRU with an attack percentage above .180 just twice: Anderson (.260) and Malone (.194).
 
CONSISTENCY BREEDS SUCCESS
Slippery Rock has used the exact same starting lineup of Mary Berger, Callie Chevalier, Alayna Chizmar, Erica Selfridge, Lauren VonderHaar and Jaeden Yost in each of its first eight matches of the season.
 
The last time SRU opened the year with the same starting lineup in each of its first eight matches came in 2017 when the lineup of Brooke Bostwick, Haley Defibaugh, Kaley Fucci, Stephanie Jacobsen, Erinn Kahoe and Shayla Ray helped to lead SRU to an 8-0 opening record. That lineup remained intact for nine matches.
 
DANGEROUS FROM ALL OVER
Slippery Rock has the luxury of not having to rely on just one or two athletes to provide the majority of its offense. Instead, SRU has received significant kill contributions from six athletes so fart.
 
Selfirdge and Chevalier pace the attack with 76 and 74 kills, respectively, while Chizmar (58), Berger (45), VonderHaar (37) and Chelsie Wheeler (42) have all proven more than capable of coming through for The Rock when needed.
 
Selfridge also leads The Rock in aces with 11 followed closely by Yost (10), Chevalier (9), Chizmar (9) and Paige Weeder (6).
 
VONDERHAAR STILL AMONG D2'S BEST
VonderHaar has been ranked among the top blockers in Division II for the majority of the season. Through eight matches SRU's sophomore middle hitter has recorded a team-best 35 blocks (10 solo / 25 assisted).
 
Across all of Division II, VonderHaar is ranked 22nd nationally in blocks per set (1.30) and 31st in total blocks.
 
VonderHaar is one of four Rock athletes to have recorded at least 10 blocks already this year along with Chevalier (16), Berger (16) and Wheeler (14). Chizmar, who has nine blocks this season, is close to joining the quartet as well.
 
As a team, SRU ranks second in the PSAC in total blocks (57) and third in blocks per set (2.11).
 
LACHENDRO UP TO 14th IN DIGS PER SET
Kate Lachendro racked up 90 digs over four matches at the Hall of Fame City Challenge: the most of any PSAC West libero last week. She went for at least 21 digs in three matches including a 33-dig performance vs. Roberts Wesleyan.
 
On the year, Lachendro ranks 14th in the nation in digs per set (5.44) and 26th in total digs at 147.
 
Lachendro also continues to climb The Rock's career digs leaderboard. Her 1,291 digs at The Rock already rank 15th in program history. She is 15 away from taking over 14th place from Sara Kirsch (2003-06 / 1,304).  
 
STREAKING
• Yost has served at least one ace in six straight matches.
 
• Chevalier totaled 49 kills at the Hall of Fame City Challenge and has recorded double-digit kill totals in three of her last four matches.
 
• VonderHaar has posted a minimum of two blocks in every match this season.
 
• Entering the weekend, Selfridge and Lachendro have both played in 68 consecutive matches – which is the sixth longest streak of consecutive matches played by Rock athletes since 2008.
 
• In addition to leading SRU in both kills and aces, Selfridge also ranks second on the team in digs with 122. She has made at least 13 digs in six of eight matches this season.
 
ROUND 2 FOR ROCK AND FSU
Saturday's match against Fairmont State will serve as the second meeting between The Rock and Falcons this season. In the first meeting of the season between the two teams at the FSU Volleyball Classic, Slippery Rock earned a 3-0 victory on Fairmont's home court.
 
Selfridge led SRU to the win with a 14-kill, 17-dig double-double. Chevalier (8), VonderHaar (6), Berger (6) and Wheeler (6) rounded out an attack that finished the match with a .270 hitting percentage while Yost and Lachendro served two aces each with Berger also tallying four blocks.
 
A BATTLE OF COACHING GREATS
Slippery Rock's match against Wheeling on Saturday will be a meeting of two of the most successful coaches in Division II history. Wheeling's Christy Benner has won 672 matches and boasts a career winning percentage of .818 while Lokash is right behind Benner with 668 victories. All told, the duo ranks 19th and 20th, respectively, on Division II's career wins list.  
 
TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS
Dating back to the 2003 season, Slippery Rock is 54-52 (.509) in matches played in the state of West Virginia.
 
MORROW FIELD HOUSE ON THE HORIZON
The Atlantic Region Crossover will close a hectic opening to the season that has seen The Rock play 12 straight matches away from home. Starting with its Green Out match on Sept. 19, Slippery Rock will play four of its next five matches at Morrow Field House.

CAREER RECORDS WATCH
Digs (No. 11-15)
11: Gaylene Abbott (1993-96): 1,402
12. Michele Ide (1999-02): 1,389
13. Jen Howser (2001-03): 1,338
14. Sara Kirsch (2003-06): 1,304
15: Kate Lachendro: 1,291
 
Assists (No. 14-18)
14. Michele Shatto (1994-97): 822
15. Jaeden Yost: 784
16. Logan Whitaker (2019-21): 589
17: Peytan Gullickson: 579
18: Louise Schultz (2004-07): 505
 
Kills (No. 16-20)
16. Layna Heilman-Houser (2002-05): 729
17. Kaley Fucci (2016-19): 720
18. Katie Greco (2003-06): 698
19: Caroline Houston (2008-12): 684
20: Sarah Cadwallader (2008-12): 673
Top Active: Erica Selfridge: 618
 
NEXT FIVE MATCHES
Sept. 19 (7 p.m.) vs. Gannon (GREEN OUT)
Sept. 22 (6 p.m.) at Clarion
Sept. 29 (7 p.m.) vs. Mercyhurst
Sept. 30 (4 p.m.) vs. Edinboro
Oct. 3 (7 p.m.) vs. Seton Hill
 
WEST LIBERTY PRIMER
Stats: Link
Roster: Link
Overall Record: 8-2
Home Record: 1-0
Away Record: 2-1
Neutral Site Record: 5-1
Streak: W6
Last Five: 5-0
Head Coach: Riley Jarett | Fourth Year (57-32 / .640)
 
HILLTOPPER STAT LEADERS
ATTACK: Katelynn Fritz (98 kills / .218), Riley Cudnik (85 kills / .297)
ASSISTS: Dakoda Keni (273 / 6.50 per set)
ACES: Bella Dart (24), Nyia Setla (13)
DIGS: Setla (196 / 4.67 per set)
BLOCKS: Grace Hill (36), Cudnik (29)
 
NOTRE DAME PRIMER
Stats: Link
Roster: Link
Overall Record: 1-3
Home Record: #
Away Record: 0-1
Neutral Site Record: 1-2
Streak: L2
Last Five: N/A
Head Coach: Erica Kostelac | First Year (1-3 / .250)
 
FALCON STAT LEADERS
ATTACK: Sydney Bray (53 kills / .246), Lilliana Mook (27 kills / .036)
ASSISTS: Jayme Zoeckler (107 / 8.23)
ACES: Zoeckler (7), Kiley Kalina (4)
DIGS: Kalina 56 / 4.31)
BLOCKS: Bray (10), Kelsie Palmer (9)
 
WHEELING PRIMER
Stats: Link
Roster: Link
Overall Record: 2-4
Home Record: 0-0
Away Record: 1-2
Neutral Site Record: 1-2
Streak: L2
Last Five: 2-3
Head Coach: Christy Benner | 22nd Year (672-150 / .818)
 
CARDINALS STAT LEADERS
ATTACK: Tylah Yeomans (88 kills / .335), Riley Kindall (74 kills / .202)
ASSISTS: Karly Niesen (277 / 10.65)
ACES: Giana Frayer (4)
DIGS: Kindall (94 / 3.62)
BLOCKS: Mady Winters (17), Katie Wilking (12)
 
FAIRMONT STATE PRIMER
Stats: Link
Roster: Link
Overall Record: 5-4
Home Record: 2-2
Away Record: 1-1
Neutral Site Record: 2-1
Streak: L1
Last Five: 3-2
Head Coach: Travis Hinkle | Third Year at FSU (55-20 / .733)
 
FALCON STAT LEADERS
ATTACK: Joey Borelle (100 kills / .190), Ellie Zuro (79 kills / .270)
ASSISTS: Jaianna Bouarouy (183 / 5.72)
ACES: Natalie Zemba (10), Josie Skinn (7)
DIGS: Skinn (150 / 4.69)
BLOCKS: Emma Ludwig (22), Zemba (20)
 
UP NEXT
Following 12 consecutive matches away from The Rock, SRU hosts Gannon 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Morrow Field House to open PSAC West competition as part of Slippery Rock's annual "Green Out" match.





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