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The Kaiser volleyball team will open its 2024 season this week by hosting the Vipers Sports Academy Classic, presented by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. The three-day event will feature 20 teams and 38 matches at the Student Life Center on the Keiser University campus.
The Seahawks (ranked second in this year’s Sun Conference preseason coaches poll) are looking to post 30 or more wins for the third straight year. Kaiser finished 2023 with a 30-11 record (9-5 in the Sun Conference). Last year, Kaiser set single-season records for service aces (308) and digs (2,255) as a team. Senior Hannah Hyde enters the 2024 season as the school’s all-time leader in assists (4,179) after recording 1,412 assists last season and is second in KU history for most assists in a single season (1,412).
Kaiser opens Thursday with a game against the Mobile (Ala.) Rams at 10 a.m. The Seahawks then play St. Francis (Ind.) at 2 p.m. and Truett McConnell at 4 p.m. The Seahawks return to the court on Saturday for two games against Spartanburg Methodist (8 a.m.) and Olivet Nazarene (12 p.m.).
Vipers Sports Academy Classic
Sponsored by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission
August 15-17, 2024
Student Life Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Watch Live: Kaiser Sports Network ($$$)
Live Stats: Sidearm Stats
Admission: Day pass $20
Thursday, August 15
Kaiser v. Mobile – 10:00 A.M.
Kaiser vs. St. Francis – 2:00 p.m.
Kaiser vs. Truett-McConnell – 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 17
Kaiser vs. Spartanburg Methodist – 8:00 A.M.
Kaiser vs. Olivet Nazarene – 12:00 p.m.
Thursday’s series against Mobile, Alabama will mark the fourth meeting between the Seahawks and Rams. The Seahawks lead the series 2-1 all-time. The last meeting between the two teams was on Aug. 19, 2023, at the Vipers Sports Academy Classic, where the Rams won 3-0. Thursday will mark the third meeting between the two teams at the Student Life Center, with the series tied 1-1. Thursday’s series against St. Francis, Indiana will mark the first meeting in history between the Seahawks and Cougars. Thursday’s series against Truett-McConnell will mark the eighth meeting between the Seahawks and Bears. Thursday will mark the second time the schools have met in West Palm Beach, Fla. (KU leads 1-0). Saturday’s series at Spartanburg Methodist will mark the first time the Seahawks and Pioneers have met in history. Saturday’s Olivet Nazarene series will mark the first time ever that the Seahawks and Tigers will face off against each other.
Thursday marks the start of coach James Rodgers’ seventh season (162-69). Coach Keiser is coming off a 30-11 season in which the Seahawks earned the No. 3 seed in last year’s Sun Conference Tournament. After the release of the 2024 Sun Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, the Seahawks were projected to finish second in the Sun Conference. Last season, the Seahawks recorded four all-conference award winners, including the 2023 Sun Conference Player of the Year. Hannah Hyde enters the 2024 season with the most assists in school history (4,179) after recording 1,412 assists last season, the second-most in a single season in KU history. As a team, the Seahawks set season records for service aces (308) and digs (2,255) during the 2023 season. Kaiser had four NAIA Scholar-Athletes and Sun Conference All-Academic Team members, including two CSC Academic All-District honorees (Sydney Wattles and Abby Lester).
Thursday’s opponent (2023 comparison) Kaiser 2023 Stats Mobile St. Francis Truett McConnell 1834 Kills 1396 1193 1483 .209 Attack percentage .193 .138 .190 1724 Assists 1302 1103 1416 307 Aces 209 170 190 2255 Digs 1845 1449 2061 216.0 Total blocks 161.0 161.0 183.5
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