University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
ECU
Special events this week in UConn volleyball
10/2/2018 1:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Join us Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
STORRS, Conn. – UConn returns home for a pair of conference games against ECU and Cincinnati to open up the month of October. The Huskies have scheduled special events for this week starting on Thursday night and concluding after Sunday's match.
Thursday, Oct. 4th
The volleyball team has paired up with TEAM Impact to welcome their newest teammate. A "draft night" will be held for 11 year-old Elsa Nocton in the Gampel press conference room from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Where Nocton will be introduced to the media for questions as well as received her UConn jersey and very own locker.
Elsa, who is a native of Storrs, Conn., has been diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth disease and becomes the latest child to join the Huskies through the Team Impact program. Elsa and her family, along with head volleyball coach Kris Grunwald, will be available to the media
Friday, Oct. 5th
Friday night's faceoff with the ECU Pirates will also feature a celebration for Jonathan's Birthday and Mental Health Awareness week. The match begins at 7:00 p.m. Jonathan will be available for photos from 6:00-7:00 p.m. with free cake.
The Pirates (10-4, 2-1 AAC) are a relatively young team with only one senior listed on the roster; six freshmen, six sophomores, and five juniors. Head Coach Julie Torbett enters her sixth season at ECU with Assistant Nick Polite joining her for his third season. Torbett added Clemson graduate Moneshia Simmons to the coaching staff to begin the 2018 season.
ECU narrowly holds the advantage in the All-Time Series against UConn at four wins and three losses. Last season, the Pirates took the 3-1 victory on the road in Storrs. Previously in the 2016, the teams split the season series at 1-1.
The Pirates currently sit a position ahead the Huskies in the American Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Standings at No. 5 and 6, respectively. Both teams are deadlocked with a pair of conference wins and only one loss.
Sunday, Oct. 7th
The noon match against the Cincinnati Bearcats will include a post-match clinic and autographs from the team. Participants in the post-match clinic need to be in the eighth grade or below.
Cincinnati (12-4, AAC) has assumed the No. 2 spot in the conference with their latest string of wins. The first meeting between the Bearcats and the Huskies came in 2005, and Cincinnati holds the All-Time Series advantage 13-6.
The Bearcats have a well-balanced roster this season; seven freshmen, five sophomores, two juniors, and four seniors. Head coach Molly Alvey is in her sixth season with the Bearcats and is assisted by Phillip White (fifth season) and Kevin Carroll (second season).
Last season UConn contested every set in the Oct. 6 match with scores of; 24-26, 25-23, 25-13, 25-23, falling 3-1 to Cincinnati.
