Baylor Volleyball Team Renews Rivalry at Texas A&M
Baylor (8-8, 1-4) at Texas A&M (9-6, 3-2)
Oct. 6, 2010 | College Station, Texas | Reed Arena (12,989)
MEDIA INFORMATION
Game Center: Match 17
Date: Oct. 6, 2010
Location: College Station, Texas
Arena: Reed Arena (12,989)
Internet Audio: www.BaylorBears.com
Talent: Todd Zeidler (pxp)
Internet Video: www.aggieathletics.com
Live Stats: www.BaylorBears.com
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTTEXAS A&M (9-6, 3-2 Big 12) SERIES INFORMATION
Texas A&M leads 49-11
Waco: Texas A&M leads 24-4
College Station: Texas A&M leads 23-5
Neutral: Series tied 2-2
Last Meeting: Baylor won, 3-2 [Nov. 7, 2009]
Streak: Baylor, W1
After a 3-4 start, Texas A&M has won six of its last eight, including a sweep of then-No. 8 Texas in College Station. The Aggies are 3-2 in the Big 12, including wins over Texas, Texas Tech and Colorado, along with losses to Kansas and Kansas State.
The Texas A&M offense possesses one of the leading attackers in the Big 12 with outside hitter Kelsey Black. Black is ranked second in the Big 12 with 3.96 kills per set, and is one of just five players in the league with over 200 kills on the season (214). She also leads the league in service aces (25) and points per set (4.78). Black has taken 574 total attacks, 279 more than any of her teammates. Freshman setter Allie Sawatzky is fourth in the Big 12 with 9.60 assists per set.
On defense, libero Tory Mellinger leads the Aggies, and is ranked ninth in the conference with 3.87 digs per set. Middle blocker Lindsey Miller leads TAMU in blocking, averaging 1.02 bps.
THE TOP FIVE- Facing four of the top five teams in the Big 12 to begin league play has left Baylor with just one conference win, but a high strength-of-schedule has kept them in the top 60 in the NCAA RPI. Baylor checks in at No. 54 in the first release of the ranking as one of seven Big 12 teams in the top 60. Texas A&M is 85th in the rankings.
- Despite posting a 1-4 Big 12 record thus far, BU has recorded more kills, assists, digs, blocks and total points than its five league opponents. Elizabeth Graham, Ashley Byrd and Allison King have all improved their kills-per-set averages in Big 12 play, while King, Kate Harris, Ashlie Christenson and Brittany Ridenour all have upped their digs-per-set numbers.
- Much like last season, Elizabeth Graham has significantly stepped up her offensive game in conference play. After a spectacular week where she hit .550 (24-2-40), including a career high 15 kills against Oklahoma, she is averaging 2.71 kps in Big 12 play. Graham also sits near the top in blocking, ranked second in the Big 12 and ninth in the nation at 1.43 bps.
- Caitlyn Trice has been a force in the back row for BU, leading the Bears to the best total in the Big 12 and second-best total in the NCAA at 19.03 digs per set. The senior has recorded double digits in all 16 matches, including eight matches of 20-plus and four matches of 30-plus digs. Individually, she is ranked first in the Big 12 and 15th nationally at 5.51 digs per set.
- Under head coach Jim Barnes, Baylor has been able to dominate the Aggies on the road, winning four of the last five matches in College Station, including a 3-2 triumph in 2009.
