Click the above photo to watch a video preview of this weekend's matches.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. –– The Navy volleyball team will open a seven-match homestand this weekend with matches against Colgate on Friday and Army West Point on Saturday.  First serve for both matches is 7 p.m.  

Saturday's match between the Mids and the Black Knights is the Star Match –– part of the Star Series, presented by USAA –– between the teams.

NavySports.com will have links to free live video via the Patriot League Network and live statistics from both matches.

Friday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m. – Colgate at Navy – Live Statistics – Free Live Video
Saturday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m. – Army at Navy – Live Statistics – Free Live Video

There is no admission charge for any Navy home volleyball match.

USNA Vehicle Access
Vehicle access to the U.S. Naval Academy is limited to drivers those with a Department of Defense identification card.  It is suggested that everyone else park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium ($5) and ride the free shuttle bus to and from the game.  Shuttle bus service will begin one hour prior to first serve.  Note that a government issued identification card must be carried and presented by visitors ages 18 and older to the USNA prior to being allowed onto The Yard, and those ages 17 and younger without an appropriate ID must be accompanied by an adult.

Navy Recently
Navy suffered its first loss of the young league campaign Sunday afternoon when the Mids fell in five sets at American.  Navy had good offensive balance against American as four different players registered at least 10 kills in the match that lasted two and a half hours.  Defensively, Sydney Shearn (Sr., Louisville, Ky.) grabbed 20 digs and Katie Patrick (Sr., Aurora, Colo.) totaled nine blocks.

The match against the Eagles came two days after the Mids posted a four-set victory over Loyola on The Yard.  Maddi Sgattoni (So., Pittsburgh, Pa.) led the way with 21 kills and also accounted for three of the team's eight service aces.

"We started seeing some great system and scheme connections happening in our matches last weekend," said Navy head coach Paco Labrador.  "I thought our total-team game plan was well executed, even when we were forced to change things mid-match.  Our blockers have been getting better every match, and defensively we continue to fly around and make plays."

About Colgate
Colgate began its league season with a four-set loss at Holy Cross, but since has registered a trio of sweeps at Army and at home against both Lafayette and Bucknell.

"Colgate has played extremely efficient volleyball for the last few matches," said Labrador.  "They are really connecting and running a sharp offense.  We will need to be aggressive from the service line and make some plays defensively to slow down their well-calibrated offense."

The road team won each of the Navy-Colgate matches a year ago.  The Mids posted a three-set victory in Hamilton, N.Y., and the Raiders won a five-set contest in Annapolis.

About Army
Army heads into its first road match of the league season Friday at Loyola after losing in three sets to Colgate, defeating Holy Cross in five sets, losing to Lehigh in five sets and posting a 3-0 victory over Lafayette.

"When Army is in-system," said Labrador, "they are a very tough match-up for any team.  They have size and power in every position.  The key element to the match will be which team can receive serve best and play poised, intelligent volleyball."

The service academy programs met three times during the 2017 season.  Army won a five-set Star Match in West Point, N.Y., the Mids won a five-set match in Annapolis on the last day of the regular season and the No. 2 seeded Mids defeated the No. 3 seeded Black Knights in three sets in the semifinal round of the Patriot League Tournament.

Patriot League Standings (through matches of Oct. 4)
4-0 – American        
3-1 – Navy    
3-1 – Lehigh    
3-1 – Colgate    
2-2 – Holy Cross    
2-2 – Army West Point    
1-3 – Loyola     
0-4 – Bucknell    
0-4 – Lafayette    

Patriot League Schedule
Friday, Oct. 5 – Army at Loyola, Colgate at Navy, Holy Cross at American, Lafayette at Lehigh
Saturday, Sept. 29 – Army at Navy, Colgate at American, Holy Cross at Loyola, Lafayette at Bucknell
Sunday, Sept. 30 – Lehigh at Bucknell