Coppin State University women’s volleyball will play four matches from September 18-20, including three at the For The White & Blue Tournament in Storrs, Conn., before visiting New Haven. The Eagles enter the trip after a three-match winning streak and a 3-0 performance at the Zips Invitational the previous weekend.
Coppin State announced the schedule September 15. The tournament field includes Coppin State, UConn, Rhode Island and Merrimack at the UConn Volleyball Center.
Coppin State women’s volleyball schedule
Coppin State will open the tournament against host UConn on Friday, September 18, at 7 p.m. The Eagles will then face Rhode Island at 2:30 p.m. and Merrimack at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 19.
The weekend concludes at New Haven on Sunday, September 20, at 3 p.m. Coppin State’s first three matches will take place at the UConn Volleyball Center in Storrs, Conn.
- September 18, 7 p.m.: at UConn, UConn Volleyball Center, Storrs, Conn.
- September 19, 2:30 p.m.: vs. Rhode Island, UConn Volleyball Center, Storrs, Conn.
- September 19, 6:30 p.m.: vs. Merrimack, UConn Volleyball Center, Storrs, Conn.
- September 20, 3 p.m.: at New Haven
Recent production fuels Coppin State’s trip
Coppin State went 3-0 at the Zips Invitational, where Cherisse Atilano recorded three consecutive double-doubles with 38 kills and 37 digs. Ivanna Luna added 32 kills, while Nia Curry finished with 31.
Kayden Cupid led the Eagles with 13 blocks at the invitational. Eva Rovello recorded 12 blocks, and Kendall Minta added 10.
Coppin State also hit .383 in its four-set win over Cleveland State, establishing a school record for hitting percentage in a four-set match. The previous mark had stood since 1992.
MEAC honors and season context
Atilano was named MEAC Player of the Week on September 14, while Rovello earned MEAC Setter of the Week honors. Rovello had averaged 7.54 assists and 2.15 digs per set, along with 11 kills on .440 hitting, after the season’s opening weekend at Virginia Tech.
Coppin State was picked to win the MEAC in the preseason poll. Coco Figueroa was named Preseason Player of the Year, while Atilano and Cupid earned Preseason All-Conference Team selections.
Head coach Tim Walsh is entering his 10th season at Coppin State. He has a 149-130 record at the school, including an 85-32 mark in MEAC play, while Coppin State has gone 93-49 overall and 49-7 in conference play since 2022.
Extended road start
Coppin State is scheduled to play its first 15 matches away from PEC Arena before hosting Loyola on September 29. The Eagles are in their 40th season of NCAA volleyball.
Coppin State is also scheduled to host the MEAC Tournament from November 20-22, with all eight conference teams participating.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Coppin State enters the four-match trip with a three-match winning streak, a 3-0 tournament showing and weekly MEAC honors for Atilano and Rovello. Its recent blocking and hitting numbers provide verified signs of strong form ahead of the UConn tournament.
The Eagles will face three opponents at the UConn Volleyball Center before traveling to New Haven. The demanding sequence comes during an extended road start that will continue until Coppin State hosts Loyola on September 29.
Source: Original report
