Boston College Athletics
Volleyball Opens Season with Boston College Invitational
August 23, 2012 | Volleyball
Aug. 23, 2012
The Boston College volleyball program plays host to the Boston College Invitational on Friday, Aug. 24 and Saturday Aug. 25 welcoming Binghamton, Fordham, Siena, and Texas Tech to Power Gym for the weekend.
The tournament comprises 10 games over the two-day span and features teams from five different conferences - America East, the Atlantic 10, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the Big 12, and the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Tournament Schedule
| Day | Date | Time | Matchup |
| Friday | Aug. 24 | 10:00 a.m. | Fordham vs. Texas Tech |
| Friday | Aug. 24 | 12:00 p.m. | Binghamton vs. Boston College |
| Friday | Aug. 24 | 2:00 p.m. | Fordham vs. Siena |
| Friday | Aug. 24 | 5:00 p.m. | Texas Tech vs. Binghamton |
| Friday | Aug. 24 | 7:00 p.m. | Siena vs. Boston College |
| Saturday | Aug. 25 | 10:00 a.m. | Texas Tech vs. Siena |
| Saturday | Aug. 25 | 12:00 p.m. | Fordham vs. Boston College |
| Saturday | Aug. 25 | 2:00 p.m. | Siena vs. Binghamton |
| Saturday | Aug. 25 | 5:00 p.m. | Binghamton vs. Fordham |
| Saturday | Aug. 25 | 7:00 p.m. | Texas Tech vs. Boston College |
Scouting the Eagles
Head coach Chris Campbell returns for his third season as the head coach at BC and looks to better the Eagles mark of 7-24 (3-17, 12th in ACC) from a year ago.
The Eagles, picked to finish 12th in the 2012 ACC preseason poll, return nine letterwinners and five starters from the 2011 team including senior captain Krystle Higgins and sophomore captain Kellie Barnum. The team will also look to sophomore Courtney Castle and junior Cagla Sen to make key contributions this season.
BC has previously faced Binghamton, Fordham, and Siena. The Eagles are 0-1 against the Bearcats, last meeting in 2007, are 3-1 versus the Rams with the last matchup coming in 2010, and are 5-1 in contests with the Saints, facing off last in 2005. Boston College's match against Texas Tech on Aug. 25 at 7:00 p.m. will represent the first meeting between the two schools.
After the tournament the Eagles will leave for Los Angeles on Aug. 26 to compete in the USC Tournament on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
Scouting the Bearcats
Head coach Glenn Kiriyama enters his 14th season as the head coach of the Bearcats coming off a record of 13-17 (5-7, fifth in Am. East) in 2011.
The Bearcats, picked to finish tied for fifth in the 2012 America East Preseason poll, return five starters as well as 2011 all-conference libero, Xiomara Ortiz. Binghamton welcomes back four hitters that each tallied over 200 kills a season ago in Kristin Hovie, Grace Vickers, Alex Roland, and Iva Partaleva.
After the BC Invitational the Bearcats head to College Park, Md. for the Maryland Tournament on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
Scouting the Rams
Now in his ninth season, head coach Peter Volkert looks to improve upon last year's 7-23 (4-11, eighth in A-10) finish from a year ago.
The Rams, picked to finish 10th in the 2012 Atlantic 10 preseason poll, return five starters - Krissy Buongiorno, Randi Ewing, Lisa Hipp, Sara Konkel, and Carina Thompson -- from the 2011 squad.
Once the tournament is completed the Rams will return home to the Bronx to take on Rutgers in a match on Aug. 29.
Scouting the Saints
Head coach Garvey Pierce enters his 10th season as the leader of Siena volleyball after finishing 13-15 (11-7, third in MAAC) last season.
The Saints, picked to finish fourth in the Metro Atlantic, return every player from the 2011 squad. Taylor Akana, the MAAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2011, enters the 2012 season as the conference's preseason player of the year. Akana and 2011 MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Lesli Akeo, will captain the Saints in 2012.
Next up for Siena after the BC Invitational is a match at St. John's on Aug. 29.
Scouting the Red Raiders
Head coach Don Flora returns for his second season at the helm of Texas Tech volleyball, coming off a record of 15-17 (1-15, ninth in Big 12) in 2011.
The Red Raiders return nine letterwinners and four starters plus the libero from last year's squad including 2012 preseason All-Big 12 selection Miara Cave as well as Breeann David, Aubree Piper, and Tory Vaughan.
Texas Tech, picked to finish eighth in the 2012 Big 12 preseason poll, left Lubbock a bit early reaching Boston on Tuesday Aug. 21 and taking the opportunity to bond as a team prior to the start of the tournament.
After the BC Invitational the Red Raiders host a tournament of their own, the Texas Tech Invitational, on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 against UT-Pan American, San Jose State, and Northwestern State.
