Baltimore Bash
Tournament Overview

Match #1: at Loyola (MD) - Friday 12 p.m.
Watch / Live Stats

Match #2: vs. Towson - Saturday 12:30 p.m.
Watch / Live Stats

Match #3: vs. Radford - Saturday 5 p.m.
Watch / Live Stats 

The Vilis Ozols era gets underway at Siena when the volleyball team kicks off its 2018 season at the Baltimore Bash this weekend. Winners of five of their last seven season openers, the Saints open at Tournament host Loyola (MD) Friday at noon, before wrapping up play Saturday vs. Towson (12:30 p.m.) and Radford (5 p.m.).

Follow the Saints' season opening Tournament this weekend by clicking on the corresponding video and live stats links at the top of the page. Continuous in-match updates will be provided via the team's official twitter page @SienaVB. Join the conversation by using the hashtags #MarchOn, #SienaSaints, and #MAACVB.

Siena looks to improve upon a 7-22 season, and 7-11 mark in conference play. Ozols joins the Saints from MAAC rival Niagara, where he put up an 18-10 overall record and 14-4 conference record with the Purple Eagles. The win total would be the fourth highest in program history. Ozols led Niagara to MAAC Tournament berths in each of his final four seasons at the helm, while posting a 42-30 (.583) record in league action during that time.

Siena's returnees are led by 2017 MAAC All-Rookie selection Dakota Jackson, who looks to build off a strong rookie season that saw her lead the team in kills (251) and kills per set (2.51). Fellow sophomore JoJo Ishida will anchor the defense at libero after leading the team in digs (340) a year ago, while senior Antonija Ivanovic provides veteran leadership as she finished second in both kills (205) and digs (224) to the for mentioned sophomores. All in all, the Saints were picked to finish seventh in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Siena gets their 2018 campaign off the ground with nine straight matches away from home comprising three tournaments. Following this weekend in Baltimore, the Saints will take part in the Cornell Invitational before concluding their season opening stretch at the Dartmouth Invitational. Siena will make its Capital Region debut when they host Binghamton at the ARC on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.

Siena and Loyola will be facing off for the 34^th time in the program's history, as the Saints haven't faced the former MAAC rival since 2012. Siena outlasted the Greyhounds, winning 3-1. Overall, Siena owns the series with a record of 25-8 against Loyola. The Greyhounds look to bounce back from a 13-16 year in 2017.

The Saints have a combined three total matches against Towson and Radford, going 0-3 between the two teams. Towson and Radford combine for a total of 52 wins in 2017, as Radford was also the Big South representative in the 2017 NCAA Tournament. Towson dropped a 27-win season down in 2017 before losing in their opening round of the CAA Tournament to James Madison.