Jacksonville, FL – The Edward Waters women's volleyball team will open their 2024 season with a three-game slate in the Barry University Invitational this weekend.

The Lady Tigers will take the floor against Virginia State University on Friday before their Saturday double header versus Auburn University at Montgomery and tournament host's Barry University.

Entering her second season as the head coach of the women's volleyball program, Lauren Ford has huge expectations for her squad. Ford was named HBCU Sports Awards Volleyball Coach of the Year after leading her teams to a combined 34-22 overall mark, including a 25-4 showing in Southern Intercollege Athletic Conference (SIAC) action.

EWU was also selected to finish as runners-up of the East Division, just behind Albany State, in the 2024 SIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Senior captains Naomy Vergez and Jenieth Guzman will look to provide leadership to a team that features 13 underclassmen, including 11 true freshmen. Vergez was a key contributor in 2023 finishing with 356 total points, including 300 kills and 37 aces. Guzman was an anchor defensively collecting a team-high 393 digs to go along with 70 assists and 27 aces.
 
WEEKEND OPPONENTS
Virginia State compiled a 10-18 record last season with a 9-8 mark in CIAA play. VSU returns All-CIAA setter Peyton Reese as well as a host of upperclassmen led by senior Helena Eubanks. The Trojans were tabbed to finish fourth in the CIAA Preseason Poll.
 
Auburn University Montgomery finished last season with an overall record of 24-9 and a 12-4 mark in GSC play. Although the Warhawks made it to the semifinals of the conference tournament, they were picked to finish seventh in the GSC by the coaches. Junior transfers Carly Cooper and Sofia Cerbuch look to lead AUM after being named to the GSC Newcomer Watchlist.
 
Host school Barry was selected to finish seventh in the SSC Preseason Polls after going 11-18 with a 5-15 record in SSC action. The Buccaneers possess tons on talent on the court led by Diana Akopova, an All-SSC player who also earned Second-Team All-American honors as an outside hitter. Returning Freshman of the Year Vavara Osychenko will add to the Barry attack that returns 10 players from last season's roster.

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