Geoff Schneider

After missing the entire 2021 season, senior defensive specialist Jaden Gillette has appeared in all six matches in 2022

Men's Volleyball Home Stand Continues Sunday Vs. SJFC

2/4/2022 12:15:00 PM

Match #7
Daemen Wildcats (4-2) vs. St. John Fisher Cardinals (8-1, 0-0 UVC)
Sunday, Feb. 6 | 1 p.m. | Lumsden Gymnasium

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FIVE THINGS TO KNOW

1. HOME SWEET HOME
The Daemen men's volleyball team continues the longest home stand in program history when they welcome nationally-ranked Division III program St. John Fisher to Lumsden Gymnasium for a Sunday matinee. The Wildcats are coming off a total dismantling of Medaille in a 3-0 sweep earlier this week. Daemen has won seven of their last home matches dating back to March of 2020. Sunday's match marks the fifth all-time between the Wildcats and Cardinals. Daemen swept a pair from SJFC last season.

2. IN THE POLLS
With wins in four of their six matches to start the season, Daemen is up one spot to the No. 7 ranking in the latest Off The Block Division II Coaches Poll. A website solely dedicated to the coverage of collegiate men's volleyball, Off The Block releases its Division II national poll each Wednesday during the season. The Wildcats debuted at No. 8 last week.

3. SIGNATURE WIN
Daemen picked up arguably the biggest win in program history earlier this season when they defeated Princeton in a five-set thriller. It marked the program's fourth win ever against a Division I opponent, but also their first against an EIVA member. The Wildcats powered down 57 kills and 10 service aces in the win. Zach Schneider led the way by posting a match-high 19 kills. Jake Couzens added 10 kills. The win capped a three-match road trip to open the 2022 season. The Wildcats picked up a win in their season opener, a 3-0 defeat of Division II independent American International, before suffering a five-set loss to EIVA member Sacred Heart.

4. GONE STREAKING
Led by fourth-year head coach Don Gleason, the Wildcats have hit their stride over the last few seasons. Dating back to early February 2020, Daemen has won 23 of their last 27 matches. The Wildcats are coming off a perfect 10-0 season in 2021 when they were the only NCAA Division I-II team to finish without a loss. The program holds an all-time record of 32-26 and they enter Sunday's match with SJFC having won seven straight matches against NCAA Division III opponents.

5. WHAT'S NEXT
This Wildcats' nine-match home stand continues this weekend when they welcome American International to Lumsden Gymnasium next Saturday, February 12. The Wildcats will go for the season sweep after defeating AIC in their season opener on January 21.

ST. JOHN FISHER SCOUTING REPORT
The St. John Fisher Cardinals are members of NCAA Division III competing in the United Volleyball Conference. The Cardinals are led by head coach Stephen England who has held the position since the program's inception in 2017. In that time, England has led the Cardinals to a 64-40 record while vaulting into the national picture at the Division III level.

SJFC's 18-player roster includes 13 returners from their 2021 team that finished 7-6 overall. The Cardinals are off to an 8-1 start this season and are ranked 14th in the AVCA Division III Coaches Poll. Their lone loss came last Saturday to nationally-ranked Juniata.

Sophomore outside hitter Jake Baker (3.41 kills/set) and senior outside hitter Josh Bigford (3.22 kills/set) are leading the SJFC offensive attack. Bigford entered the season as the program's all-time leader in kills and is approaching 1,000 for his career. The duo combined for 35 kills in the loss to Juniata.

The Cardinals are getting additional production from grad students Paul Hackford (2.09 kills/set) and David Cerqua (2.92 digs/set), as well as freshman Evan Ingerick (8.20 assists/set). Hackford is one of three Western New York natives on SJFC's roster, including three who hail from Orchard Park where they played for Daemen volunteer assistant coach Ricky Albano.

ALL-TIME SERIES: DAEMEN VS. ST. JOHN FISHER
Series Record: 2-2
At Daemen: 1-1
Current Streak: Won 2
Last Meeting: Daemen 3, St. John Fisher 1 (29-31, 25-15, 25-12, 25-23) | March 24, 2021 | at Amherst, N.Y.

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