POUGHKEEPSIE, New York - The Marist volleyball team (2-1) will open up its 2017 home slate when it hosts the Volley In The Valley Tournament in McCann Arena on Sept. 1 and 2. The Red Foxes will battle Binghamton at 7 p.m. Friday and play Cleveland State at 3 p.m. Saturday in the last matches of each day. The full tournament schedule is as follows:
 
Friday, September 1
3 p.m.   Binghamton vs. Rider
7 p.m.   Binghamton vs. Marist                  Red Fox Network
 
Saturday, September 2
11 a.m. Binghamton vs. Cleveland State
3 p.m.   Cleveland State vs. Marist            Red Fox Network
 
Admission to all matches is free. Live stats will be available and there will be a free live stream of Marist's matches on the Red Fox Network.  
 
SPORT YOUR RED
 
During the Red Foxes' bout with the Bearcats on Friday night Marist will celebrate College Colors Day, a nationwide promotion that encourages sports fans to represent their favorite college team by wearing its colors. Fans in attendance Friday are encouraged to share photos of themselves decked out in red or Marist apparel on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and enter for a chance to win prizes and a trip to the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship.   
 
FUTURE PROMOTIONS
 
In addition to Friday night, Marist volleyball will have fan promotions at six other home matches this season:   
 
Saturday, September 2 vs. Cleveland State, 3 p.m. – Kids Day
All kids who attended one of Marist's summer camps and clinics are invited to come out for this matinee match.
 
Sunday, October 1 vs. Iona, 1 p.m. – Go Greek Match
All the fraternities and sororities on the Marist College campus are invited to attend this MAAC home match.
 
Sunday, October 15 vs. Quinnipiac, 1 p.m. – Study Break
This event will be co-sponsored by the college's Office of First Year Programs, Health and Wellness, and Student Activities. There will be fan contests during intermissions as well as raffles and prizes. 
 
Friday, October 20 vs. Siena, 7 p.m. – Pink Out
Marist will wear pink uniforms to raise breast cancer awareness. Fans will be encouraged to donate to the Miles of Hope Breast Cancer Foundation, a Hudson River Valley-based organization that provides funding and support services for people affected by breast cancer in the local community.
 
Saturday, October 28 vs. Rider, 1 p.m. – Faculty & Staff Appreciation Match
Each student-athlete will invite one Marist faculty or staff member that has impacted their time at the college the most to attend the match. The 14 faculty and staff members will be recognized in a special gameday program insert.
 
Sunday, November 5 vs. Niagara, 1 p.m. – Senior Day
Seniors Kelsey Ediger, Ashton Korona and Sydney Rojek will be honored in a pregame ceremony for their dedication and commitment to the program.
 
WEEKEND RECAP
 
Marist went 2-1 in the Lehigh Fall Classic last weekend, defeating the host Mountain Hawks (3-1) and Coppin State (3-0) and losing to Radford (3-1).
 
Sophomore Megan Fergus was named to the All-Tournament Team after putting up 21 kills and a team-high seven total blocks. Senior Kelsey Ediger was the Red Foxes' top hitter with 35 kills in the three matches. She also swiped eight service aces in the tournament, including a career-high five against Coppin State.
 
SCOUTING THE BEARCATS
 
Binghamton began its season going 0-3 in the desert at the UNLV Invitational. On August 25, the Bearcats got swept by the host Rebels then fell to Eastern Washington in a five setter. Binghamton ended its first tournament of 2017 with a 3-0 defeat to UC Davis the following day.
 
Junior Gaby Alicea averaged 3.00 kills per set while senior Sarah Ngo and freshman Samantha Gioiosa each contributed 36 digs in the three contests.
 
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
 
The defending Horizon League Champions, Cleveland State won one of its three matches at the Purdue Mortar Board Invitational last weekend. The Vikings fell to Alabama in five sets and were swept by no. 25 Purdue on August 25. Cleveland State got its first win of 2017 the following day, coming from behind against Oral Roberts in a 3-2 triumph.
 
Senior Alexis Middlebrooks was named to the All-Tournament Team after racking up a .337 hitting percentage alongside 12 total blocks.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Red Foxes will play a single match at Hudson Valley rival Army West Point. First serve will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 5.