Friday, August 26
Boca Raton, Fla.
10 a.m.
Lehigh University
vs
Mercer
Photo by: Hannahally Photography
Mountain Hawks Open Season in Boca Raton for FAU Invitational
8/25/2022 2:13:00 PM | Volleyball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Looking for a strong opening statement to begin the 2022 season, the Lehigh volleyball program opens the year in Boca Raton for the FAU Invitational, starting off with a 10 a.m. match against Mercer Friday and a 4:30 p.m. battle with Alabama A&M. The Mountain Hawks close the book on the weekend Saturday against host Florida Atlantic at noon. All three matches will be streamed with Friday's broadcasts on FloSports and Saturday's on CUSA.TV.
Â
It's an exciting time for this team, especially for three student-athletes (Sophia Meagher, Gracie Kiser and Emily Stewart) getting a chance to showcase their talents in their home state of Florida for the first time. Â
Â
Lehigh returns sophomore outside hitter Megan Schulte to the lineup, a year removed from leading the squad in kills (275). She was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week twice last season and was also a threat on the defensive side of the court with 156 digs and 62 total blocks. The Mountain Hawks' leading blocker is also back in sophomore Emily Stewart, leading the way with 106 total blocks in 2021.
Â
Sophomore setter Makena Smith will look to take the next step up after leading her teammates with 737 assists, while sophomore Kyleigh Brown will take over the lone libero duties after a securing a team-high 350 digs last season.
Â
This is a Lehigh team full of underclassmen, a total of 10 with five first-years (Drew Brown, Dakota Hartman, Arden Below, Madison McCartney and Natalie Luscomb) making their collegiate debuts. Junior outside hitter Katarina Kaburov will make her Lehigh debut after transferring from Boston College.
Â
The Mountain Hawks finished the 2021 season with an 8-19 overall record, winning four non-league matches before the start of Patriot League play.
Â
Mercer will be a tough opening opponent, having been picked fourth in the SoCon Preseason Poll with one first place vote. Annie Karle was named a Preseason All-Conference selection, earning First Team honors in 2021.
Â
The Bears went 16-12 overall in 2021 with a 12-4 record during SoCon play. Mercer fell to Furman, 3-1 in the SoCon Tournament Quarterfinals.
Â
Friday will mark the first-ever meeting between Lehigh and Mercer.
Â
Alabama A&M is another foe that Lehigh has never met before with the two teams set to go to battle Friday afternoon.
Â
The Bulldogs were selected to finish seventh in the SWAC Preseason Poll with 128 points. Alabama A&M finished 2021 with an overall record of 5-23 and went 5-11 during conference play.
Â
Sophomore Ryann Tolbert returns as the Bulldogs' leading point-getter on offense with 156 kills last season.
Â
Florida Atlantic was picked 10th out of 11 teams when the Conference USA put out its Preseason poll earlier Thursday afternoon.
Â
The Owls finished the 2021 season with an 11-14 overall record, getting just three wins during conference play. FAU went 7-9 at home with a road record of 2-5.
Â
Similarly to Schulte with Lehigh, FAU's Katelynn Robine also had a stellar rookie campaign with 200 kills, good for second on the team and a kills per set average of 2.27. Robine was also a Conference USA All-Freshman Team recipient.
Â
Saturday will mark the third meeting all-time between Lehigh and Florida Atlantic. The Owls lead the series, 2-0 including a 3-1 defeat last season at the Tiger Invitational, hosted by Towson.
Â
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Â
Â
It's an exciting time for this team, especially for three student-athletes (Sophia Meagher, Gracie Kiser and Emily Stewart) getting a chance to showcase their talents in their home state of Florida for the first time. Â
Â
Lehigh returns sophomore outside hitter Megan Schulte to the lineup, a year removed from leading the squad in kills (275). She was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week twice last season and was also a threat on the defensive side of the court with 156 digs and 62 total blocks. The Mountain Hawks' leading blocker is also back in sophomore Emily Stewart, leading the way with 106 total blocks in 2021.
Â
Sophomore setter Makena Smith will look to take the next step up after leading her teammates with 737 assists, while sophomore Kyleigh Brown will take over the lone libero duties after a securing a team-high 350 digs last season.
Â
This is a Lehigh team full of underclassmen, a total of 10 with five first-years (Drew Brown, Dakota Hartman, Arden Below, Madison McCartney and Natalie Luscomb) making their collegiate debuts. Junior outside hitter Katarina Kaburov will make her Lehigh debut after transferring from Boston College.
Â
The Mountain Hawks finished the 2021 season with an 8-19 overall record, winning four non-league matches before the start of Patriot League play.
Â
Mercer will be a tough opening opponent, having been picked fourth in the SoCon Preseason Poll with one first place vote. Annie Karle was named a Preseason All-Conference selection, earning First Team honors in 2021.
Â
The Bears went 16-12 overall in 2021 with a 12-4 record during SoCon play. Mercer fell to Furman, 3-1 in the SoCon Tournament Quarterfinals.
Â
Friday will mark the first-ever meeting between Lehigh and Mercer.
Â
Alabama A&M is another foe that Lehigh has never met before with the two teams set to go to battle Friday afternoon.
Â
The Bulldogs were selected to finish seventh in the SWAC Preseason Poll with 128 points. Alabama A&M finished 2021 with an overall record of 5-23 and went 5-11 during conference play.
Â
Sophomore Ryann Tolbert returns as the Bulldogs' leading point-getter on offense with 156 kills last season.
Â
Florida Atlantic was picked 10th out of 11 teams when the Conference USA put out its Preseason poll earlier Thursday afternoon.
Â
The Owls finished the 2021 season with an 11-14 overall record, getting just three wins during conference play. FAU went 7-9 at home with a road record of 2-5.
Â
Similarly to Schulte with Lehigh, FAU's Katelynn Robine also had a stellar rookie campaign with 200 kills, good for second on the team and a kills per set average of 2.27. Robine was also a Conference USA All-Freshman Team recipient.
Â
Saturday will mark the third meeting all-time between Lehigh and Florida Atlantic. The Owls lead the series, 2-0 including a 3-1 defeat last season at the Tiger Invitational, hosted by Towson.
Â
Like Lehigh Volleyball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Â
Players Mentioned
S/RS
/ Volleyball
OH/DS
/ Volleyball
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
RS
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
MB/OH
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball2025 Lehigh Volleyball Season Preview
Friday, August 29
Lehigh Sports Central: Volleyball
Wednesday, September 25
Season Preview: Volleyball
Wednesday, August 28
Volleyball's Natalie Luscomb and Makena Smith represent USA in 18th Annual Global Challenge
Tuesday, October 31
