Canisius volleyball looks to turn the page as nonconference play nears its end
By Paige Apps, Sports Reporter
The Canisius volleyball team will look to close out its nonconference schedule on a positive note this weekend as the Golden Griffins host the WNY Invitational at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Canisius enters the tournament 0–8 on the season after falling to Syracuse in straight sets on Sunday at the inaugural Flower City Volleyball Invite. While the Griffs have yet to record a victory, the final weekend of nonconference play provides an opportunity to build momentum before the start of Metro Conference action.
The Griffs showed flashes of that potential against Syracuse, particularly in the second set. Canisius jumped out to an 11–7 lead before the Orange responded with seven straight points. The Griffs regained control later in the set with a 5–0 run, using kills from junior Emma Isroff, freshman Emily Helmers and senior Azoria Davis to take a 20–16 advantage.
Syracuse answered with six consecutive points, but Canisius battled back to tie the set at 22 apiece. The Orange ultimately closed out the frame, 25–23, before taking the third set and completing the sweep.
Despite the loss, the second–set battle continued a trend for Canisius, which has shown an ability to create momentum and compete in stretches throughout the opening weeks of the season.
Isroff continues to lead the Griffs offensively, entering the WNY Invitational with 70 kills through eight matches. The junior earned All–Tournament Team honors at the Canisius/UB Invitational earlier this season and has remained one of the team’s most consistent offensive contributors.
Freshman setter Kenslie Warmbrodt has also provided a steady presence in her first collegiate season. Warmbrodt leads Canisius with 140 assists and has recorded double–digit assists in all eight matches. Her 29 helpers against Syracuse marked another strong performance as she continues to grow into her role.
Defensively, senior libero Brenda Reynaga has continued to anchor the back row. Reynaga recorded a season–high 23 digs against Syracuse, marking her fourth match this season with at least 20 digs. She enters the weekend with a team–high 129 digs.
The WNY Invitational gives the Blue and Gold one final opportunity to gain experience and confidence before conference play begins. The Griffs will host Le Moyne on Friday at 6 p.m. before closing the tournament Saturday against Valparaiso at 2 p.m.
The matchup with Le Moyne will be the ninth meeting between the in–state programs while Saturday’s contest against Valparaiso will mark the first meeting between the two teams.
For Canisius, the weekend represents more than the final two matches of its nonconference schedule. It is an opportunity to turn the lessons from a difficult opening stretch into momentum heading into a new portion of the season.
The Griffs will open Metro Conference play next weekend against Sacred Heart and Fairfield at home.
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