Quest for the Crown
Tournament Info – Friday, Aug. 25 - Saturday, Aug. 26
Location – ODU Volleyball Center (Norfolk, Va.)
Watch – ESPN+ (ODU vs. VCU | ODU vs. Norfolk State)
Live Stats – CLICK HERE
Full Schedule
Friday, Aug. 25
6:30 p.m. – Old Dominion (H) vs. VCU (A)
Saturday, Aug. 26
12 p.m. – Norfolk State (H) vs. VCU (A)
6 p.m. – Old Dominion (H) vs. Norfolk State (A)
NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion volleyball opens its 2023 season this weekend as the Monarchs host VCU and Norfolk State in the third annual Quest for the Crown tournament.
Action begins on Friday night as ODU and VCU square off for a 6:30 p.m. match. Saturday sees VCU and NSU playing at noon, followed by a 6 p.m. tilt between the Monarchs and Spartans. Live stats will be available for all three matches and both of ODU's matches will be streamed on ESPN+.
For Friday's match, the Monarchs will celebrate 80s Night, while Saturday's encounter with Norfolk State will mark Beach Night.
Fans can purchase 2023 Old Dominion Fall Season voucher books online at odusports.com/tickets. For just $50, you get 25 tickets that can be used for any regular season home game at the ODU Volleyball Center or ODU Soccer Complex. Single-game tickets can also be purchased for $5 at the entrance to the ODU Volleyball Center.
About ODU
Myah Conway earned Preseason All-Conference honors as the Monarchs were picked to finish fifth in the Sun Belt's East Division. A Sun Belt First Team selection last season, Conway led ODU with 368 kills (3.50 per set) and 430 points (4.10 per set). The Monarchs also bring back setter Teresa Atilano, who tallied 875 assists with 36 services aces, and Bailey Burgess, who looks to build off a freshman campaign that saw her finish first on the team in blocking (99), second in points (248) and fourth in kills (172).
Also returning for the Monarchs are Ashlynn Belcher, Tessa Mati, Jennifer Olansen, Kira Smith, LeeAnne Lowery and Olivia De Jesus. ODU has four true freshmen in Adrienne Peji, Elisa Maggi, Bryanna Jones and Kate Kilpatrick. The team also added Alice Munari, a transfer from Hillsborough CC in Tampa, Florida.
Head coach Fred Chao enters his fourth season leading the Monarchs in 2023.
About VCU
The Rams were picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll. Jasmine Knight, a two-time All-A-10 selection, will be a key piece for VCU after finishing second on the team in kills (300), blocks (112) and points (363) last season. Teammate Kialah Jefferson, a 2021 A-10 All-Rookie Team honoree, finished third on the team with 275 digs (2.76 per set) and setter Taylor Aguano was second on the team with 491 assists (5.22 per set). The team returns eight letterwinners from 2022 and added five true freshmen plus two grad transfers.
Friday will mark the third-ever meeting between the Monarchs and Rams, with the all-time series tied at 1-1. VCU won a Jan. 23, 2021 meeting in Norfolk in straight sets, but ODU secured a five-set victory in the final match of the VCU Invitational last year on Sept. 17.
Tim Doyle is in his first season as head coach after taking over the program last December. He was previously the head coach at William & Mary for the past five seasons and was also an assistant on the Rams' coaching staff from 2014-17.
About Norfolk State
The Spartans were predicted to finish fourth in the MEAC preseason poll, the highest NSU has been picked since the 2013 season. Norfolk State returns two of its three All-Conference honorees from 2022: Shonte Seale, a Second Team selection, and Sydney McCree, who earned an All-Rookie Team nod. Seale led her squad in kills (245) and points (278) and was third in blocks (43). The team's primary setter last year, McCree totaled 617 assists and served a team-best 37 aces. NSU has five returners, seven true freshmen and a pair of transfers.
ODU is up 2-0 in the all-time series. The Monarchs defeated the Spartans 3-0 on Sept. 18, 2021 in the final match of the inaugural Quest for the Crown tournament. ODU then played at Norfolk State on Sept. 13 last season, winning 3-0 at Gill Gymnasium.
Head coach Kathy Bullock begins her fifth season leading the program in 2023 and her 30th overall at the collegiate level.
Up Next
Following this weekend's tournament, the Monarchs round out their opening homestand next Tuesday, Aug. 29 against William & Mary. The match, originally scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start, has been moved up to 5 p.m.
Volleyball Set to Open 2023 Season with Third Annual Quest for the Crown Tournament
