Boston College Athletics
Eagles Set for Season-Opening Tournament on the Heights
August 26, 2021 | Volleyball
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BC volleyball begins three-match weekend Friday night vs. Sacred Heart.
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Boston College volleyball hosts its first early season tournament since 2018 when Sacred Heart, Hartford and Northeastern come to the Heights. The Eagles' season opener is set for Friday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. against the Pioneers inside Power Gym. The first match of the day features the Hawks and Huskies at 5 p.m. Admission is free to all six matches and all three BC contests will be streamed on ACCNX.
About the Eagles...
Coming off five straight wins to end the two-part, 2020-21 season, Boston College begins its 32-match schedule by hosting the BC Classic; opening against 2019 NCAA participant Sacred Heart. The Eagles return a pair of graduate students in outside hitter Clare Naughton and middle blocker Amaka Chukwujekwu; due to the added year of eligibility following the Covid-19 shortened season. Naughton led BC with 2.63 kills per set last year to go with 2.36 digs per set. Chukwujekwu earned her second straight All-ACC Second Team nod, while averaging 1.61 kills and 0.76 blocks per set. Sophomore Anna Murphy stepped into the starting libero role two matches into her career and led the BC back row with 3.44 digs per set. The Eagles ran a 6-2 offense, a year ago, with rookie setters Sophia Lambros (4.70 assists per set) and Grace Penn (4.48). Lambros led BC with 31 aces.
BC-SHU Matchup...
Boston College is 7-0 all-time against Sacred Heart. The Eagles claimed a 3-1 victory in their home tournament on August 25, 2018 to finish the BC Invitational undefeated. BC overcame a first-set defeat to win behind a 16-kill performance by McKenna Goss. Clare Naughton notched 10 kills.
BC-UHart Matchup...
The Eagles are 10-5 all-time against Hartford in a series that dates back to 1990. BC has won eight in a row against the Hawks, including a sweep in head coach Jason Kennedy's first game on the BC bench. Cat Balido notched a 12-kill, 10-dig double-double. Clare Naughton chipped in with eight kills on a .500 attack rate.
BC-NU Matchup...
Boston College snapped a brief, two-match slide against Northeastern with a 3-1 win inside Power Gym in February. Clare Naughton led BC with 12 kills on a .333 attack rate to go with nine digs. Amaka Chukwujekwu added eight kills and hit .375. The Huskies lead the all-time series, 19-12.
BC Class of '25...
The 2021 BC volleyball roster features 14 underclassmen, including six freshmen in the BC class of 2025. The Eagles have added three middle blockers, two outside hitters and setter Jane Petrie. Middle blocker Jenna Pollock arrives at BC from Canada, where she was a member Defensa Volleyball; the number-two ranked club in Ontario. Outside hitter Nikki Steinheiser played club for the Dallas Skyline Juniors and competed in USA Volleyball National five years in a row.
Season Openers...
The Eagles have compiled a 15-16 record on opening day. BC has won six of its last nine season openers following a sweep to No. 11 Louisville. Boston College is 20-11 all-time in its home opener.
Up Next...
The Eagles head to Smithfield, R.I. for the Bryant Invitational beginning Sept. 3 vs. Holy Cross.
About the Eagles...
Coming off five straight wins to end the two-part, 2020-21 season, Boston College begins its 32-match schedule by hosting the BC Classic; opening against 2019 NCAA participant Sacred Heart. The Eagles return a pair of graduate students in outside hitter Clare Naughton and middle blocker Amaka Chukwujekwu; due to the added year of eligibility following the Covid-19 shortened season. Naughton led BC with 2.63 kills per set last year to go with 2.36 digs per set. Chukwujekwu earned her second straight All-ACC Second Team nod, while averaging 1.61 kills and 0.76 blocks per set. Sophomore Anna Murphy stepped into the starting libero role two matches into her career and led the BC back row with 3.44 digs per set. The Eagles ran a 6-2 offense, a year ago, with rookie setters Sophia Lambros (4.70 assists per set) and Grace Penn (4.48). Lambros led BC with 31 aces.
BC-SHU Matchup...
Boston College is 7-0 all-time against Sacred Heart. The Eagles claimed a 3-1 victory in their home tournament on August 25, 2018 to finish the BC Invitational undefeated. BC overcame a first-set defeat to win behind a 16-kill performance by McKenna Goss. Clare Naughton notched 10 kills.
BC-UHart Matchup...
The Eagles are 10-5 all-time against Hartford in a series that dates back to 1990. BC has won eight in a row against the Hawks, including a sweep in head coach Jason Kennedy's first game on the BC bench. Cat Balido notched a 12-kill, 10-dig double-double. Clare Naughton chipped in with eight kills on a .500 attack rate.
BC-NU Matchup...
Boston College snapped a brief, two-match slide against Northeastern with a 3-1 win inside Power Gym in February. Clare Naughton led BC with 12 kills on a .333 attack rate to go with nine digs. Amaka Chukwujekwu added eight kills and hit .375. The Huskies lead the all-time series, 19-12.
BC Class of '25...
The 2021 BC volleyball roster features 14 underclassmen, including six freshmen in the BC class of 2025. The Eagles have added three middle blockers, two outside hitters and setter Jane Petrie. Middle blocker Jenna Pollock arrives at BC from Canada, where she was a member Defensa Volleyball; the number-two ranked club in Ontario. Outside hitter Nikki Steinheiser played club for the Dallas Skyline Juniors and competed in USA Volleyball National five years in a row.
Season Openers...
The Eagles have compiled a 15-16 record on opening day. BC has won six of its last nine season openers following a sweep to No. 11 Louisville. Boston College is 20-11 all-time in its home opener.
Up Next...
The Eagles head to Smithfield, R.I. for the Bryant Invitational beginning Sept. 3 vs. Holy Cross.
Players Mentioned
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