Five Things to Know: Volleyball Kicks Off 2021 Season Friday

Auto-Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational
Location: East Lansing, Mich. | Jenison Field House
Video Broadcast: Big Ten Network Plus
Live Stats: Via MSUSpartans.com
Twitter: @GriffVolleyball | #Griffs #MAACVB

Schedule
Canisius vs. Wright State
Date: Friday, August 27
Time: 5 p.m.

Canisius vs. Michigan State
Date: Saturday, August 28
Time: 12 p.m.

Canisius vs. Western Michigan
Date: Saturday, August 28
Time: 5 p.m.

Five Things to Know
1. Season Opening Weekend
The Golden Griffins return to the court for the 2021 season, traveling to East Lansing, Mich., for the Auto Owners Insurance Spartan Invitational, hosted by Michigan State. The Blue and Gold face off against defending Horizon League Champion Wright State, followed by Michigan State and Western Michigan.

2. New Year, New Faces
Canisius welcomes four newcomers to the program for the 2021 season. Setter Avery Dole (Summerfield, N.C./Northwest Guilford), middle blocker Emma Mans (Fort Atkinson, Wis./Fort Atkinson), libero Hayley Montoya (Waxhaw, N.C./Cuthbertson), and outside hitter Kara Zaucha (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) arrive on Main Street for their inaugural campaign.

3. Griffs Out-Hit the Opponent
During the 2020-21 season held in the spring, the Blue and Gold were 8-0 when out-hitting their opponents, as well as finishing the campaign 4-1 when hitting above a .250 clip, with the lone loss coming in the MAAC Championship match versus Rider.

4. Ella Named Preseason All-MAAC
Junior outside hitter Ella Loussia was selected to the 2021 Preseason All-MAAC Team, the conference announced Wednesday. In the spring, Loussia appeared in all 13 matches and 49 sets, leading the Golden Griffins with 154 kills (3.14 kills per set). Loussia registered double-digit kill performances in 10 matches, as well as double-digit digs in four contests.

5. Bree's Back for Year Three
Junior libero Bree Long enters year three in a Canisius uniform after a solid showing in the spring. Long's 273 digs in the shortened-season led the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, averaging 5.57 digs per set. Long posted double-digit digs in 12 of the 13 matches, including eight matches with 20-plus digs.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Bree Long: L; 5' 5"; Junior

#2 Ella Loussia: OH; 6' 1"; Junior

#1 Hayley Montoya: L; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#11 Kara Zaucha: OH; 5' 10"; Freshman

#12 Avery Dole: S; 6' 1"; Freshman

#18 Emma Mans: MB; 6' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#4 Bree Long
: 5' 5"; Junior
: L

#2 Ella Loussia
: 6' 1"; Junior
: OH

#1 Hayley Montoya
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: L

#11 Kara Zaucha
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: OH

#12 Avery Dole
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: S

#18 Emma Mans
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: MB