Volleyball Voices

College Volleyball on TV: Tulsa Golden Hurricane holds Dig Pink for breast cancer research and awareness Sunday, match televised by CBS College Sports

Tulsa Volleyball Takes on Houston and Rice, Holds Dig Pink Match Sunday

 

TULSA, Okla. – The University of Tulsa volleyball team continues its seven-match home stand when it entertains Conference USA rivals Houston (Friday, 7 p.m.) and Rice (Sunday, 1 p.m.) this weekend at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.

 

Sunday’s match against Rice is Tulsa’s Dig Pink match to promote breast cancer awareness and research, and will be televised by CBS College Sports. Items will be sold and raffled off, with proceeds going to the Side Out Foundation to promote breast cancer awareness and help find a cure for breast cancer. Fans are encouraged to wear pink, and will have the opportunity to buy pink “TU Golden Hurricane” wristbands for $1, and buy $5 raffle tickets for two signed volleyballs. Fans will also be given pink towels to wave at the match.

Live stats via Gametracker and live video via Hurricane Vision will be available atwww.TulsaHurricane.com.

The match Sunday is being televised on a tape-delay basis, and can be seen Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. on CBS C on Cox Cable channel 249 in the Tulsa area.

 

Two weeks ago, Tulsa visited its rivals in Houston and won both matches, beating Rice, 3-0, and Houston, 3-2. Sunday’s match featuring two of the top four teams in C-USA is critical to Tulsa and Rice’s hopes of moving into position to compete for the top spot in the conference over the last three weeks of the season.

 

Tulsa (17-5, 6-2 C-USA), is hitting .275 as a team (1115 kills-367 errors-2723 attempts), with 1,115 kills (14.11 k/set), 1,035 assists (13.10 a/s), 92 service aces, 1,249 digs (15.81 dig/s) and 163.0 total blocks (2.06 per set).

 

Houston (7-17, 4-5 C-USA) enters the weekend hitting .172 (1034-513-3023) with 1,034 kills (11.75 k/s), 967 assists (10.99 a/s), 98 service aces, 1,275 digs (14.49 dig/s) and 169.0 total blocks (1.92 b/s).

 

Rice (14-6, 6-3 C-USA) enters the weekend with a .236 attack percentage (1071-404-2824), 1,071 kills (14.67 k/s), 1,000 assists (13.70 a/s), 62 service aces, 1,300 digs (17.81 dig/s) and 152.0 total blocks (2.08 b/s).

 

Tulsa is led by the on the outside by senior Jennifer Eichler, who has 307 kills (3.89 kills per set), a .310 attack percentage, 177 digs, 54 total blocks and 348.0 points for the Hurricane. Freshman Tyler Henderson has 333 kills (4.27 k/s), hits .297, has 29.0 blocks and has scored 350.5 points.

 

At middle blocker, junior Hannah Stout hits .431 with 203 kills and 63 blocks, while senior Julia Kenealy is hitting .313 with 108 kills, and leads the team with 82 total blocks (1.06 per set). Freshman libero Jessica Adams leads the Hurricane with 398 digs (5.04 d/s) and has 14 service aces. Setters Rachel Vukson and Jordan Clampitt have 495 (6.27 a/s) and 440 assists (5.57 a/s), respectively, and Clampitt adds 139 digs.

 

Houston is led by Kinsey Cave, who has 332 kills (3.77 k/s), a .223 attack percentage and 32 blocks, and Erin Rice who has 119 kills, hits .293 and has 57 blocks. Tara Roenicke leads the Cougars with 843 assists, while Amanda Carson paces UH with 360 digs (4.14 dig/s).

 

Rice is led by Natalie Bogan, who has 244 kills (3.34 k/s) and 75 blocks and hits .360, and Ashleigh McCord, who has 246 kills (3.84 k/s), with 133 digs. Meredith Schamun leads the Owls with 861 assists (11.79 per set) and 168 digs, while Tracey Lam paces Rice with 389 digs (5.33 dig/s).

 

Tulsa and Houston have played 10 times; UH leads the series, 6-4. Tulsa defeated Houston, 3-2, two weeks ago in Houston. All of the matches in the series have been played since Tulsa joined C-USA in 2005. Houston won all three meetings in 2008. The Golden Hurricane’s wins in the series prior to this season came at home in 2005, 2006 and 2007. TU is 3-1 vs. Houston at home and 1-4 vs. the Cougars on the road.

 

Tulsa and Rice have played 29 times; Rice leads the series, 19-10. Tulsa defeated the Owls, 3-0, two weeks ago in Houston. The first meeting came in 1984, a 3-0 Rice win, but 28 of the matches have been played since 1996 when both schools were in the WAC. The two teams split last season with each team winning on the road. Tulsa is 8-1 against Rice since the schools moved to Conference USA. Every match between the Golden Hurricane and the Owls since 2006, except for this first match this season, has gone the maximum five sets.

 

Admission to all TU home volleyball matches is free. For all Tulsa volleyball news and information, visit www.TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane. Become a fan of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane page on Facebook – search “Tulsa Golden Hurricane.”

 

-TulsaHurricane.com-

Week 9: Kansas University Jayhawks Women's College Volleyball Team News

Week 9: Kansas University Jayhawks Women's College Volleyball Team News

Donations from Jayhawks For a Cure will go to benefit Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center.

 

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Kansas volleyball will participate in the 2009-10 "Jayhawks For a Cure" campaign on Tuesday, Oct. 27 when it hosts UMKC for a 6:30 p.m. match. Fans wearing pink to the contest will be admitted for just $3.

 

Fans can make a donation at the door with all donations benefitting Lawrence Memorial Hospital and the KU Cancer Center. Fans can also choose to make a pledge per dig by filling out a pledge form here or clicking the link on the right side of the KU volleyball website. In addition, Kansas Athletics' new concessions partner, Centerplate, will donate $1 for every soft drink purchased during the match.

 

Along with Kansas volleyball's match on Tuesday, several "Jayhawks For a Cure" events are scheduled for the 2009-10 academic year. The KU soccer team held its event on Oct. 11, while Kansas swimming and diving will highlight breast cancer awareness and collect donations on Oct. 30 when it hosts Missouri. Kansas women's basketball will also host its annual WBCA Pink Zone game in Allen Fieldhouse on Feb. 7 when it faces Kansas State.

 

 

-Go Jayhawks!-

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: UTA Travels to Conway to Face First-Place Central Arkansas

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: UTA Travels to Conway to Face First-Place Central Arkansas 

October 15, 2009

 

ARLINGTON, Texas –

 

FIRST SERVE

UT Arlington takes a 3-3 conference record into its match on Saturday against Central Arkansas, who leads the Southland Conference with a perfect 7-0 mark. The Mavericks are searching for their first road win of the season while the Sugar Bears are looking to knock off the Mavs for the first time ever. UTA is coming off its most dominating win of the season over Northwestern State (25-10, 25-13, 25-12) and Central Arkansas, who has won 17 of its last 18 matches, went on the road on Wednesday to knock off Texas State in five sets.

 

INSIDE THE SERIES

Saturday will be the fourth all-time meeting between UT Arlington and Central Arkansas. The Mavericks are 3-0 in the all-time series which began in 2006. UT Arlington came away with a 3-0 sweep over the Sugar Bears in its only visit to Conway in 2006. The Mavericks won matches over the Sugar Bears in 2007 (3-1) and 2008 (3-2), both of which were in Arlington. Central Arkansas joined the Southland Conference and became an NCAA Division I program in 2006.

 

First Serve:  ____________ 2 p.m.

All-Time Series___ UTA leads, 3-0

Last Meeting UTA defeated UCA, 3-2

    Arlington, Texas (10/17/08)

 

Arena_______ Prince Center (300)

Live Stats___ www.ucasports.com

Free Live Video  www.ucasports.com

Press Row       (501) 339-7417

 

UT ARLINGTON MAVERICKS

Overall Record: 7-11

Conference Record: 3-3

    Home Record: 5-3

    Away Record: 0-6

    Neutral Record: 2-2

    Last 5/Last 10: 2-3/5-5

Streak: Won 1

AVCA Ranking: N/A

Website: www.utamavs.com

Head Coach: Diane Seymour

    Career Record: 88-83 (6th year)

    Record at UTA: 88-83 (6th year)

 

CENTRAL ARKANSAS SUGAR BEARS

Overall Record: 18-3

Conference Record: 7-0

    Home Record: 8-0

    Away Record: 6-2

    Neutral Record: 4-1

Last 5/Last 10: 4-1/9-1

Streak: Won 2

AVCA Ranking: N/A

Website: www.ucasports.com

Head Coach: Steven McRoberts

    Career Record: 360-132 (13th year)

    Record at UCA: 109-50 (5th year)

 

TAKING A LOOK BACK

UTA needed only an hour and five minutes to dismantle Northwestern State in three sets on Wednesday night with a three-set sweep at Texas Hall. It was the Mavs third straight win at home and was the first time since rally scoring began (2001) that they held an opponent below 15 points in every set. The Mavs had only one attack error (school record) and tallied the program’s second highest hitting percentage (.507) with 38 kills, 1 error and 73 attacks. Six Mavs had at least five kills while holding Northwestern State to a .000 attack percentage.

 

ON THE HORIZON

The Mavs will host “Dig Pink” night on Thursday, Oct. 22, against Southeastern Louisiana. The annual event’s proceeds will go directly to the Sideout Foundation, which directly helps support breast cancer awareness. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the match.

 

UTA MOVES INTO FOUR-WAY TIE FOR FIFTH BEST RECORD IN THE SOUTHLAND

With their win on Wednesday night, UT Arlington has moved into a four-way tie for the fifth best conference record with Nicholls (3-3), Texas State (3-3) and UTSA (3-3). Central Arkansas is leading the way at 7-0, Sam Houston State has only one loss (6-1) and Lamar (5-2) and Stephen F. Austin (4-2) each have only two losses.

 

MAVS SET SCHOOL RECORD WITH ONE ATTACK ERROR - 4TH TIME IN NCAA HISTORY

UT Arlington made school history on Wednesday night committing just one attack error in a three-set victory over Northwestern State. It is also a Southland Conference record and is the only one-attack error match this season in the NCAA. The previous school record was three attack errors, set by the 1985 Mavericks in a three-set win over North Texas (Sept. 25, 1985). In addition, it is only the fourth time in NCAA history that a team has had only one attack error in a match (see chart).

 

FEWEST ATTACK ERRORS IN A MATCH - NCAA HISTORY

Date          Team vs. Opponent                        Pct.                   (K-E-TA)

10/14/09    UT Arlington vs. Northwestern State                                .507   (38-1-73)

11/3/99      Fairfield vs. Iona                             .709                    (40-1-55)

12/3/98      Long Beach State vs. Southern       .615                    (25-1-39)

10/10/86          Oregon vs. Fresno State                      .661     (40-1-59)

 

FIRST TIME IN RALLY SCORING HISTORY

UT Arlington’s 25-10, 25-13, 25-12 victory over Northwestern State marked the first time since rally scoring began that UTA has held its opponent to less than 15 points in every set during a match. The last time the Mavs held an opponent below 15 points in every set was during the 2000 season against Louisiana-Monroe (15-3, 15-7, 15-9) on the road on Nov. 10.

 

SECOND HIGHEST HITTING PERCENTAGE IN SCHOOL HISTORY

The Mavericks hit .507 (38 kills - 1 error - 73 attacks) against Northwestern State to post the second highest hitting percentage in school history. The UTA school record for hitting percentage in a match is .583 (31 kills - 3 errors - 48 attacks) during a three-set victory over North Texas (15-1, 15-0, 15-1) in Arlington on Sept. 25, 1985.

 

ALL ZEROS FOR THE LADY DEMONS

UT Arlington held Northwestern State to a .000 team hitting percentage (28 kills - 28 errors - 101 attacks), the lowest by a Maverick opponent this season. That is the lowest percentage by a Maverick opponent since the 2005 season opener against Prairie View A&M (-.019 hitting percentage, 31 kills - 34 errors - 155 attacks) on August 27, 2005. In 18 matches this season, UT Arlington has held four opponents below a .100 hitting percentage. The Mavericks held four opponents below a .100 percentage in 2007 and 2008 combined (once in 2008, three times in 2007). The Mavericks held seven opponents below a .100 hitting percentage in 2006.

 

DONUTS IN THE BLOCKING COLUMN

The Mavericks held Northwestern State without a block, which was the first time the Mavs have held an opponent without a block since Sept. 16, 2006, vs. St Francis (NY) at the Oral Roberts Tournament. The Mavericks, on the other hand, had 10.0 team blocks with one solo block and 18 block assists. Emily Shearin led the way with six blocks, which gives her eight matches this season where she has led the team.

 

SHEARIN CONTINUES TO HIT FOR A HIGH PERCENTAGE

Emily Shearin continues to lead UT Arlington in hitting percentage (.291) during Southland Conference play with 34 kills, 9 errors and 86 attacks. The sophomore middle blocker also leads the Mavericks in total blocks (26) and service aces (9) during league play. Shearin added to her totals against Northwestern State with five kills, zero errors and 12 swings (.417 percent), a team best three aces and a team-leading six blocks. She is the only Maverick to hit at least .200 in all six SLC matches this season. Last season, in 58 sets played in SLC action, Shearin hit .065 (42 kills - 33 errors - 138 attacks).

 

ONLY UNBEATEN SLC TEAM AGAINST CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Central Arkansas broke into NCAA Division I volleyball in 2006 while joining the Southland Conference. In just three and a half years the Sugar Bears have defeated all but one SLC team, the lone team UCA has not defeated is UT Arlington. The Mavericks are 3-0 against Central Arkansas and have lost only four sets to the Sugar Bears in those three matches.

 

For more information on Mavericks Volleyball check out their new official website @ http://www.utamavs.com/sports/w-volley/txar-w-volley-body.html

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: KU Volleyball Travels to Kansas State for Sunflower Showdown

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: KU Volleyball Travels to Kansas State for Sunflower Showdown 

For a complete set of game notes go tohttp://www.kuathletics.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/101609aab.html.

 

KU Volleyball Travels to Kansas State for Sunflower Showdown

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Kansas volleyball (9-8, 2-6 Big 12) travels to Kansas State Saturday, Oct. 17 for this season’s first edition of the Sunflower Showdown. Match time between the Jayhawks and Wildcats is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Ahearn Field House.

 

Fans can follow live stats or listen to K-State’s radio broadcast (for a fee) on the KU Athletics website at www.KUAthletics.com.

 

About Kansas

Following three-straight matches versus top 25 teams, KU takes a 9-8 overall record and 2-6 mark in Big 12 play into Saturday’s contest. Two Jayhawks are averaging over three kills per game in Karina Garlington (3.65 kps) and Allison Mayfield (3.25), who rank fourth and ninth in the Big 12, respectively. Paige Mazour is hitting a team-best .323 attack percentage but has struggled in conference matches swinging with a .260 clip. Nicole Tate continues to guide the offense with the league’s third-best assists average of 10.77 aps. Melissa Manda holds down the KU defense with 4.20 dps. During Big 12 action, the Jayhawks’ libero is even better with 4.71 dps.

 

Bechard-Fritz Connections

Kansas head coach Ray Bechard and Kansas State coach Suzie Fritz have a history that dates back earlier than Big 12 play. Prior to his position at KU, Bechard was the head coach at Barton Community College in Kansas for 13 seasons during which he coached Fritz and later hired her as an assistant.

 

Up Next

Kansas continues its road swing on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Texas Tech in a 6:30 p.m. match. The Jayhawks then return home to the Horejsi Center on Oct. 24 for the Lawrence edition of the Border Showdown with Missouri.

 

 

-Go Jayhawks!-

 

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: DU Volleyball Faces Western Kentucky Tonight on the Road

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: DU Volleyball Faces Western Kentucky Tonight on the Road 

Pioneers face Hilltoppers tonight and remain on the road to face Middle Tennessee Sunday at 12 p.m.

 

DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball team returns to action this week as it travels to Bowling Green, Ky., to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Friday. Denver then continues on the road to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Sunday at 12 p.m.

 

Both matches will be available via Live Stats, while Friday’s match will be available on Pioneer Vision. Denver’s match against Middle Tennessee will be available via Web Radio. Visit www.DenverPioneers.com for all multi-media links.

 

THIS WEEK’S MATCHUPS:

Denver heads back on the road this week for another SBC swing, this time facing Western Kentucky on Friday and Middle Tennessee on Sunday. Both matches will be available via Live Stats, while the Pioneers’ match again the Hilltoppers will be available on Pioneer Vision. DU’s match against the Blue Raiders will be available only via Web Radio through Middle Tennessee. The Pioneers are 5-12 all-time against the Hilltoppers and 4-7 all-time against the Blue Raiders.

 

SCOUTING WESTERN KENTUCKY (14-6, 3-2 SBC)

The Lady Toppers will continue their home season this weekend by taking on Denver on Friday night and North Texas on Saturday afternoon.  On Friday, WKU and Denver will hit the court for a 7 p.m. contest and then on Saturday, WKU and North Texas will play at 3 p.m..  WKU is 12-5 all-time against Denver.  Last season, WKU defeated Denver in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament in three sets but fell to the Pioneers in Denver in five sets on October 17.  WKU also holds an advantage over North Texas and is currently 9-1 against the Mean Green.  WKU’s only loss to North Texas came last season when the Mean Green swept WKU in Denton, Texas.

 

SCOUTING MIDDLE TENNESSEE (11-7, 4-1 SBC)

The Blue Raiders have won six of their last seven matches since their six-match losing streak earlier in the season. The one loss during that span was to league leading Florida International. Senior Ashley Waugh received Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week honors earlier this week after guiding the defensive backcourt to wins over Arkansas State and Arkansas-Little Rock. Senior Ashley Mead along with junior Izabela Kozon reached 1,000 assists in their careers while senior Leslie Clark became the first Blue Raiders to notch 5,000 assists in a career.

 

PIONEERS AT-A-GLANCE:  

Playing arguably one of their toughest schedules to-date, the Pioneers finished the week 1-1 as it turned in a 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-23) victory over Florida Atlantic and a 3-0 (26-28, 20-25, 23-25) loss against Florida International.

 

For the week, Denver averaged 14.00 kills, 13.17 assists, 10.00 digs and 2.83 blocks per set. Senior Emmy Davidsmeyer (Colorado Springs, Colo.) led Denver for the week with 32 kills through six sets, while also registering 12 total blocks. Setter Kresson Vreeman (Raymond, Minn.) averaged 12.00 assists per set, while junior Kacie Wikierak (Crystal Lake, Ill.) finished with 3.00 digs per set. For the season, the Pioneers are averaging 13.10 kills, 12.24 assists, 13.04 digs and 2.10 blocks per set. Davidsmeyer leads the way with 330 kills for a 4.58 kills per set average, while Wikierak leads the team with 274 digs.

 

- PIONEERS -

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Huskies Hit The Road After Two-Week Homestand

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Huskies Hit The Road After Two-Week Homestand 

NIU will face Buffalo on Friday, Akron on Saturday

DeKALB, Ill. – After hosting four consecutive home matches, the
Northern Illinois volleyball team will take its three-match winning
streak on the road for a pair of Mid-American Conference contests as the
Huskies (9-10, 3-3 MAC) face Buffalo (12-7, 3-3 MAC) at 6 p.m. (CDT) on
Friday and Akron (9-11, 1-5 MAC) at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The Huskies head into the weekend after winning three straight
conferences matches at home to even their league record after a 0-3
start.  One of the main reasons for the recent surge has been NIU’s
dominant play at home as the Huskies are 7-3 at Victor E. Court this
season.  However, NIU will not have the luxury of being home this
weekend and will have to find a way to win on the road.

“The biggest thing is to have that ‘home’ energy on the road,”
said NIU head coach Ray Gooden.  “It takes a lot to win a match on the
road.  Our team is continuing to try to learn that.”

In order to have a successful weekend, the Huskies will hope to get
solid performances from their leaders.  In league play, senior Meagan
Schoenrock (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview) is tops on the team in kills with
99 (3.96/set), while sophomore Allison McGlaughlin (Morton, Ill./Morton)
is not far behind with 92 (3.68/set).  Senior Cassie Yates (LaPorte,
Ind./LaPorte) leads NIU in hitting percentage during conference matches
as she is hitting .322 with 51 kills (2.04/set), and is tied with
Schoenrock for the lead in blocks with 16 (0.64/set).  Sophomore Kristin
Hoffman (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) runs the offense with an average of
10.55 assists per set (211) during MAC contests.

On defense, the Huskies are led by junior Maddie Hughes (St. Charles,
Ill./North), who has 138 digs (5.52/set) during MAC competition, while
McGlaughlin has 85 digs (3.40/set) and has tallied four double-doubles
in league play.

Buffalo enters the weekend with the same league mark as the Huskies
after defeating Akron in five sets and falling to Ball State in four
last week.  The Bulls are led on offense by Marisa Hornbaker’s 81
kills (3.24/set) in MAC contests.  Kristen Bignell leads the Bulls in
blocks with 25 (1.04/set) during league play and Lindsey Schlegel runs
the offense with an average of 9.16 assists per set (229).  Buffalo is
anchored on defense by Tori Beckman’s 85 digs (3.40/set) in conference
matches.

NIU leads the all-time series against Buffalo 11-2 and has won each of
the last six matches, including a sweep in last year’s matchup in
DeKalb.

“Buffalo has always had players that are capable of playing well and
with their new coaching staff they are showing that they can do that,”
Gooden said.

Akron is coming off a pair of five-set losses to Buffalo and Toledo
last weekend and is led by Brionna Patterson’s 111 kills (4.27/sest)
in MAC matches.  Jackie Goleman is tops on the Zips in blocks with 19
(0.73/set) during league play and Kara Smith manages the offense with
235 assists (10.22/set).  On defense, the Zips are led by Chelsea
Harvey, who has 88 digs (3.52/set) in conference contests.

The Huskies lead the all-time series over Akron 16-8 and have won the
last five matches against the Zips, including a sweep at Victor E. Court
last season.

“A lot of the same is true with Akron and their new coaching
staff,” said Gooden.  “Their kids have been playing at a much
better level.  They have lost some tough five-set matches this season so
we know they are capable of playing well.”

Both matches will have live stats available on buffalobulls.com and
gozips.com.

-NIU-

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: MAAC Volleyball This Weekend

This Weekend in MAC Volleyball – Oct. 16-17
Fri., Oct., 16 – Northern Illinois at Buffalo, 7:00 PM
Northern Illinois ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Live Stats	Buffalo ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website
Fri., Oct., 16 – Toledo at Ohio, 7:00 PM
Toledo ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics Volleyball Website	Live Stats	Ohio ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website
Fri., Oct., 16 – Central Michigan at Miami, 7:00 PM
Central Michigan ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Live Stats	Miami ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website
Fri., Oct., 16 – Ball State at Kent State, 7:00 PM
Ball State ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Watch Live | Live Stats	Kent State ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website
Fri., Oct., 16 – Western Michigan at Akron, 7:00 PM
Western Michigan ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Watch Live | Live Stats	Akron ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website
Fri., Oct., 16 – Eastern Michigan at Bowling Green, 7:00 PM
Eastern Michigan ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Live Stats	Bowling Green ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website
Sat., Oct. 17 – Central Michigan at Bowling Green, 3:00 PM
Central Michigan ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Live Stats	Bowling Green ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website
Sat., Oct. 17 – Eastern Michigan at Miami, 5:00 PM
Eastern Michigan ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Live Stats	Miami ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics Volleyball Website
Sat., Oct. 17 – Ball State at Ohio, 6:00 PM
Ball State ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Live Stats	Ohio ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website
Sat., Oct. 17 – Western Michigan at Buffalo, 7:00 PM
Western Michigan ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Live Stats	Buffalo ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website
Sat., Oct. 17 – Toledo at Kent State, 7:00 PM
Toledo ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Watch Live | Live Stats	Kent State ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website ·
Sat., Oct. 17 – Northern Illinois at Akron, 7:00 PM
Northern Illinois ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website	Watch Live | Live Stats	Akron ·          Game Notes ·          Roster ·          Schedule/Results ·          Statistics ·          Volleyball Website ·

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Samford Volleyball Hosts Citadel, College Of Charleston This Weekend

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Samford Volleyball Hosts Citadel, College Of Charleston This Weekend

Bulldogs support Breast Cancer Awareness wit Dig Pink match Sunday ---

 

Oct. 16, 2009

 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford University volleyball team is back at home this weekend as it plays host to The Citadel and defending South Division champions College of Charleston, Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s match will be Faculty Appreciation Day and Sunday’s match will be Samford’s Dig Pink match in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.

 

On Saturday between sets two and three, each Bulldog’s favorite professor will be recognized at center court. On Sunday, the Bulldogs will wear pink jerseys and encourage all fans to wear the color pink in some way to join in the fight against breast cancer. A silent auction will be held for the players' pink jerseys during the match. Bidding starts at $30.

 

“This cause is very important to our team since breast cancer has affected someone we all know in one way or another,” Samford head coach Derek Schroeder said. “This year we are honoring a very special person and we want to raise as much as we can to support this cause.”

 

Samford (11-9, 5-1 SoCon) comes off a tough non-conference loss on the road at Troy on Wednesday. The Trojans swept the Bulldogs, 3-0, handing Samford its second straight road loss. Last weekend, the Bulldogs were in North Carolina taking on Western Carolina and Appalachian State. Samford swept Western Carolina, but fell in a hard-fought battle with Appalachian State, 3-2.

 

“We learned a little bit about determination from those tough road losses,” Schroeder said. “I am looking for a boat load of that back in the comfort of our own place.” 

 

Samford returns to Birmingham ready to defend home court. The Bulldogs have not lost at home in 21 matches and have only one conference loss on their record so far this season – the Appalachian State road loss.

 

Last season was Samford’s first meeting with the Citadel Bulldogs when Samford swept the Citadel in Charleston. College of Charleston holds the lead in the all-time series with Samford at 8-3. Last season, the Cougars swept the Bulldogs in Charleston, handing them their first of only two Southern Conference losses last season. The last time Samford defeated Charleston was Oct. 27, 1995, when Samford took the match in four sets at home.

 

“Citadel is much improved and has got great coaching, so to overlook them would be a big mistake,” Schroeder said. “College of Charleston has some tough conference losses this year and some injuries but they are too seasoned and too experienced to not come in here and give us a very hard match.” 

 

Samford is led by freshman Allie Bettinger and senior Sheriden Stangohr who lead in kills and hitting respectively. Bettinger averages 3.29 kills per set while Stangohr holds a .303 hitting percentage on the season so far and is ranked 30^th in the nation in blocks per set with 1.32.

 

Hillary Fountain and Casey Garvey split time at the setter position. Fountain leads with 8.64 assists per set (631 total) while Garvey averages 1.88 assists per set (139 total). Alexis Bauer leads the back row with 3.77 digs per set while Fountain and Samantha Bland average just over two per set and Garvey and Bettinger average just under two per set.

 

The Citadel (4-17, 0-5 SoCon) enters the weekend fresh off a sweep of the Savannah State Tigers after falling in its last seven matches. The Bulldogs are still searching for their first conference win as five of their last six losses have been to league foes.

 

The Citadel Bulldogs are led by Jessica Maas who averages 2.45 kills per set while hitting a team-high .241 attack percentage. She also leads in blocks per set with 0.51. Alyssa Holum runs the Citadel offense at the setter position, posting 7.16 assists per set while ranking second on the team in digs with 1.97 per set. Tatum Jestila leads in digs with 2.53 per set while Rachael Farrell has served up a team-high 23 aces on the season.

 

College of Charleston (8-10, 4-2 SoCon) comes off a weekend split in conference play. The Cougars fell to Georgia Southern in a five-set brawl last Saturday but bounced back with a 3-0 sweep of Davidson on Sunday. The loss to Georgia Southern was the second in conference play for the defending South Division champions after falling to Furman the weekend before in four sets.

 

The Cougars are led by Sarah Havel (2.43 per set), Emily Sawin (2.32 per set) and Ginny Phillips (2.34 per set) in kills while Elyse Chubb averages a team-high .318 hitting percentage and 1.99 kills per set. Cole Dawley dishes out 9.48 assists per set and 2.43 digs per set while Paige Johnson leads the back row with 3.75 digs per set followed by Sawin with 2.24 per set. Charleston is the 26^th-ranked blocking team in the nation, led by Havel who is ranked 43^rd in the nation with 1.22 per set.

 

Match play begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free and fans can follow the action via free live streaming on www.samfordsports.com. A full recap and results will be available on www.samfordsports.com upon the completion of each match.

 

*** SAMFORD BULLDOGS ***

 

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Cowgirls Host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Today

 

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Cowgirls Host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Today

 McNeese State's volleyball team (14-6, 2-4 SLC) returns to the court today to host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in a 2 p.m. Southland Conference match.  The Cowgirls are coming off a four match loss to UTSA Wednesday night in the only other match for the Cowgirls this week.

     Sara Cartie, the Cowgirls starting setter for the past four years is 44 assists away from recording 4,000 career assists.  When she reaches that milestone, she will only be the second player to reach 4,000 career assists and 1,000 career digs in program history.  Lisa Lombardo who played for the Cowgirls from 1996-99 is the only one to reach those marks so far.

     Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (7-14 overall, 0-6 SLC) is winless in SLC play and against McNeese State.  The Cowgirls have won all three matches since TAMU-CC began volleyball.  The Cowgirls have won two matches in four sets and one match in straight sets.

-30- 

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Tulsa Volleyball Returns Home to Face Memphis and UAB

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Tulsa Volleyball Returns Home to Face Memphis and UAB

Golden Hurricane takes on Memphis at 7 p.m. Friday and UAB at 1 p.m. Sunday

 

TULSA, Okla. – After playing two of its first three conference weekends on the road, The University of Tulsa volleyball team returns home to the friendly confines of the Donald W. Reynolds Center for three straight Conference USA weekends, beginning Friday when it plays host to Memphis at 7 p.m.

 

TU will take on UAB Sunday at 1 p.m. Live stats via Gametracker and live video via Hurricane Vision will be available at www.TulsaHurricane.com.

 

Tulsa (14-5, 4-2 C-USA), is hitting .272 as a team (986 kills-331 errors-2409 attempts), with 986 kills (14.09 k/set), 916 assists (13.09 a/s), 80 service aces, 1091 digs (15.59 dig/s) and 143.0 total blocks (2.04 per set).

 

Memphis (5-17, 1-6 C-USA) enters the weekend hitting .207 (948-391-2686) with 948 kills (12.31 k/s), 880 assists (11.43 a/s), 98 service aces, 1151 digs (14.95 dig/s) and 155.5 total blocks (2.02 b/s). UAB (11-10, 4-2 C-USA) enters the weekend with a .204 attack percentage (1011-400-2995), 1011 kills (12.48 k/s), 926 assists (11.43 a/s), 117 service aces, 1248 digs (15.41 dig/s) and 179.0 total blocks (2.21 b/s).

 

Tulsa is led by the on the outside by senior Jennifer Eichler, who has 275 kills (3.93 kills per set), a .316 attack percentage, 152 digs, 48 total blocks and 310.0 points for the Hurricane. Freshman Tyler Henderson has 297 kills (4.30 k/s), hits .291, has 25.0 blocks and has scored 311.5 points.

 

At middle blocker, junior Hannah Stout hits .414 with 178 kills and 57 blocks, while senior Julia Kenealy is hitting .301 with 91 kills, and leads the team with 70 total blocks (1.03 per set). Freshman libero Jessica Adams leads the Hurricane with 345 digs (4.93 d/s) and has 12 service aces. Setters Rachel Vukson and Jordan Clampitt have 435 (6.21 a/s) and 391 assists (5.59 a/s), respectively, and Clampitt adds 131 digs.

 

Memphis is led by Altrese Hawkins, who has 231 kills (3.00 k/s), a .300 attack percentage and 34 blocks, and Marija Jovanovic who has 101 kills (3.88 per set in 26 sets) and hits .262. Christine Bach leads the Tigers with 639 assists, while Becky Shaffer paces Memphis with 324 digs (4.21 dig/s). UAB is led by Andrea Lalic, who has 231 kills (3.08 k/s) and 47 blocks, and Sam Serley, who has 213 kills (2.84 k/s), hits .325,  has 13 aces and 69 blocks. Alison Woods leads the Blazers with 809 assists (10.11 per set), and has 26 aces, 172 digs and 24 blocks, while Heather Thomas paces UAB with 378 digs (4.67 dig/s).

 

Tulsa and Memphis have played 12 times; Memphis leads the series, 7-5. The series dates to 1983. Tulsa has won the last three meetings, and is 4-1 since it joined C-USA in 2005. The Golden Hurricane is 2-0 all-time against the Tigers at home, and is also 2-6 in Memphis, and 1-1 in neutral sites, including a 3-0 victory in the 2007 C-USA tournament.

 

Tulsa and UAB have played 12 times; the series is tied, 3-3. The series has been played since 2005, and each team has on one match on the other team’s floor. The Hurricane and Blazers have also faced off in the C-USA tournament twice - in 2006 when UAB eliminated TU in the semifinals, and again in the 2007 championship, which Tulsa won, 3-2. UAB won last year’s meeting in Birmingham, 3-0.

 

For all Tulsa volleyball news and information, visitwww.TulsaHurricane.com. Follow Tulsa Athletics on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/TulsaHurricane. Become a fan of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane page on Facebook – search “Tulsa Golden Hurricane.”

  

-TulsaHurricane.com-

 

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Texas Volleyball preview: Texas Tech

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Texas Volleyball preview: Texas Tech

The second-ranked Longhorns look to improve to 14-0 when they travel to Texas Tech on Saturday, Oct. 17. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m. Central.

 

Match 14: No. 2/2 TEXAS (13-0, 8-0 Big 12) vs. Texas Tech (2-14, 0-7 Big 12)

When: Saturday, Oct. 17 at 6:30 pm Central

Where: Lubbock, Texas (United Spirit Arena)

Live Stats: GameTracker on TexasSports.com

Internet Audio/Video: Watch subscription-based video on TexasTech.com

 

SERIES INFO

All-Time Series Record: Texas leads Texas Tech, 66-9-2 (H: 30-3, A: 29-2, N: 7-4-2)

Last meeting with Texas Tech: UT defeated Tech, 3-0 (25-9, 25-20, 25-15) on Nov. 12, 2008 in Austin

Current Streak: Texas has won the last 16 meetings

 

TEXAS No. 1 in NCAA RPI

In the first release of the NCAA RPI of the 2009 season, Texas ranks No. 1 ... No. 2 Florida State, No. 3 Penn State, No. 4 Illinois and No. 5 Michigan round out the top five.

 

ROAD WARRIORS

Texas is 12-0 on the season with eight of its wins coming on the road ... the Horns are 6-0 at away games and 3-0 at neutral sites in 2009 ... the Horns own victories at Hawaii and Nebraska, which perennially rank in the top-two on the NCAA Volleyball attendance charts ... Texas is playing better on the road than it is at home in 2009, hitting .334 as a team on the road and just .263 at home ... UT also blocks 3.27 balls per-set on the road, while tallying just 3.00 at home.

 

HOT START

Texas is off to the third-best start in UT history ... its 13-0 start is the best since 2004 when the Horns began the year 16-0 ... the Texas record was set in 1990 when UT opened 26-0.

 

LONE STAR STATE DOMINANCE

Since head coach Jerritt Elliott arrived in Austin, the Longhorns have emerged as the dominant volleyball program in the state of Texas ... the Longhorns have posted a 65-7 (.903) record against in-state opponents during the Elliott era, including a 16-0 mark against Texas Tech and a 16-1 mark against Baylor ... Texas has won its last 38 matches versus in-state foes, last dropping a match on Oct. 16, 2004 to Texas A&M.

 

STREAKING

Texas is currently riding a 22-match regular-season winning streak that dates back to Nov. 1, 2008 against Texas A&M ... the regular-season streak is the third-longest in program history ... Texas currently owns a 14-match home winning streak at Gregory Gym dating back to Nov. 1, 2008.

 

TEXAS IN THE AVCA POLL

The Longhorns are ranked No. 2 in the most recent AVCA Division I Coaches Poll (Oct. 12) ... UT received seven first-place votes ... Texas’ No. 2 preseason ranking was its highest ranking in the AVCA poll since UT finished the 1995 season ranked second ... UT has now been ranked in the Top 10 for 50 straight weeks... UT opponents in the poll include, No. 3 Hawaii,  No. 7 Nebraska, No. 13 Iowa State, No. 14 California, No. 19 Baylor, No. 20 Saint Louis, No. 22 Texas A&M, No. 23 San Diego and No. 25. Long Beach State.

 

HORNS IN THE VOLLEYBALL MAGAZINEPOLL                   

Texas holds the No. 2 spot in the current Volleyball Magazine Poll (Oct. 13) ... the Horns trail two-time defending NCAA Champion Penn State in the poll by 12 points 279-to-267 ... Big 12 foes Nebraska, Iowa State, Baylor hold the No. 8, No. 12 and No. 19 positions, respectively ... three of Texas’ non-conference opponents are ranked (No. 3 Hawaii, No.15 California, No. 20 Saint Louis).

 

UT IN THE BIG 12 STATS

The Longhorns rank atop the Big 12 and rank fourth in the nation with their .312 team hitting percentage ... UT ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in blocking with 3.19 blocks per-set ... senior All-America setter Ashley Engle ranks second in the conference in hitting with a .382 attack mark, while senior All-America outside hitter Destinee Hooker ranks sixth in hitting (.340) and leads the league with 4.77 kills and 5.73 points per-set.

 

 

 

Hook'em

 

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Volleyball Plays Host to No. 17 Florida State, Miami

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Volleyball Plays Host to No. 17 Florida State, Miami 

Friday’s match against Seminoles begins Maryland Madness festivities.

 

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland volleyball team plays host to 17^th-ranked Florida State and Miami Friday and Sunday, respectively, with Friday’s match against the Seminoles to be played on the main Comcast Center floor as the opening act of the University’s Maryland Madness basketball tip-off celebration.

 

The Terrapins are 10-10 and 2-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Maryland is led by senior Katie Usher, who is hitting .345 on the season and averaging nearly a block per set. Usher ranks ninth in the ACC in hitting and owns the fifth-best single-season hitting percentage in school history, as of now. Led by Usher and sophomore Lisa Scott’s 1.12 blocks per set, the Terps rank in the top half of the conference in blocking and opponent’s hitting percentage.

 

Freshman Sam Rosario has given the Terps the top serving attack in the ACC. Rosario leads the conference with 37 service aces, by far the most by any ACC player, and Maryland leads the league with 114 aces.

 

No. 17 Florida State is in a three-way tie for first place in the ACC at 6-1 and 15-2 overall. The Seminoles, who owns impressive victories against the likes of Illinois, Middle Tennessee State and Notre Dame, lead the ACC in hitting percentage (.300) and kills (13.88 per set). Brianna Barry leads the Noles and the conference in hitting at .517 and Jordana Price is second in the ACC in blocking.

 

The Terrapins lead the all-time series against the Seminoles, 19-15, though Florida State has taken the last three matchups.

 

The Miami Hurricanes enter the weekend at 10-7 and 3-4 in the ACC. Miami is led by sophomore Lane Carico, the conference leader in kills at 4.31 per set. Lici McGee and Ali Becker comprise a strong blocking duo, ranking seventh and eighth in the league, respectively.

 

Maryland owns a 7-4 edge all-time against Miami, which is coached by Maryland graduate Nicole Lantagne Welch, the school’s all-time leader in digs.

 

Friday’s match against Florida State will be streamed live at umterps.com.

Following Friday’s volleyball match, Maryland Madness will feature a new 3-point shooting contest involving current team members, and performances by the Maryland Spirit Squad, Dance Team, Band and Gymkana. Head basketball coaches Gary Williams and Brenda Frese will discuss their 2009-10 teams and both squads will take the court for brief intra-squad workouts.

Tickets are free and are required for the volleyball match and the entire Maryland Madness event. Tickets can be acquired at the door the day of the event and can also be ordered in advance from the Terrapin Ticket Office by calling 1-800-IM-A-TERP. Free parking will be available in the lots surrounding Comcast Center and in Terrapin Trail Garage.

Fans are encouraged to bring canned food and other non-perishable items as a donation to the Capital Area Food Bank. Drop locations will be situated inside the Comcast Center entrances, staffed by the Maryland Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

– TERPS –

 

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Alabama Volleyball Preps for Power of Pink Night Against Tennessee

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: Alabama Volleyball Preps for Power of Pink Night Against Tennessee

Crimson Tide wraps up first half of SEC play this weekend against Tennessee and No. 8 Kentucky

 

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Alabama volleyball team (6-12, 4-4 SEC) returns to the friendly confines of the CAVE to host Tennessee (12-5, 5-2 SEC) Friday night at 6:00 p.m. (CST) followed by No. 8 Kentucky on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. (CST). Fans are strongly encouraged to wear pink to the match on Friday, as part of the University of Alabama Athletic Department’s “Power of Pink” initiative.

 

“This weekend marks the end of the first round of SEC play,” said head coach Judy Green. “We are going to face two very good volleyball teams, and I hope our team is prepared for the challenge. We’ve got to find a way to win. We’ve been working really hard in practice, and we’ve corrected things that didn’t go so well last weekend. It’s time to go out there, throw the ball up, and play volleyball.”

 

Last weekend the Crimson Tide suffered two defeats in a pair of close five-setters on the road to Arkansas and Mississippi. In Alabama’s loss to Arkansas, junior Alyssa Meuth led the team with 16 kills, while junior Kayla Schmidt dished out a career-high 39 assists in addition to 16 digs for her fifth double-double of the season. In Sunday’s match in Oxford, Meuth led a trio of Tide attackers with 17 kills followed by senior Brooks Webster with 13 and sophomore Ashley Frazier with 11. Freshman Kelsey Anderson notched a career-best 24 digs in the match.

 

The Lady Vols roll into Tuscaloosa after sweeping both Georgia and Auburn at home last weekend. The two victories advanced Tennessee to 12-5, with a 5-2 mark in SEC play on the season. The Lady Vols are led by junior outside hitter Nikki Fowler with a team high 3.18 kills per set, along with an impressive 3.06 digs per set which ranks second on the team.

 

Friday night’s match against the Lady Vols serves as the kickoff to this year’s “Power for Pink” initiative. The initiative was started by Alabama head gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson and has raised over $750,000 for the DCH Breast Cancer Fund, all the while increasing awareness for the fight against breast cancer. Since Alabama’s “Power of Pink” started in 2004, the idea has spread nationally throughout collegiate athletics, Major League Baseball and this year into the National Football League. The soccer team will hold its “Power for Pink” game this Sunday against Vanderbilt, and the Tide swimming and diving team will hold a “Power for Pink” meet Nov. 6 when it takes on LSU.

 

In addition to being the “Power of Pink” match, Friday night will also serve as Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night where all University of Alabama faculty and staff members will receive free admission by showing the ACTion card. Regular admission for adults is $3 and free for students and children 12 and under.

 

Fans unable to attend the match in person can follow the action with free live scoring, radio and live video of the match, all of which are available on RollTide.com.

 

--UA--

 

 

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: No. Auburn Set To Host No. 9 Florida and South Carolina

Women's College Volleyball Game Information Week 8: No. Auburn Set To Host No. 9 Florida and South Carolina 

AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn volleyball team hosts a pair of SEC matches
against No. 9 Florida and South Carolina. The Tigers take on the Gators
at 6 p.m. on Friday and finish the weekend with a 2:30 p.m. match versus
the Gamecocks on Sunday. Both matches will be held at the Student
Activities Center and admission is free.

“Florida is always a big match and it will show us where we are
compared to the top teams in country and conference,” Wade Benson,
head volleyball coach, said. “This is a match that allows us to show
our hard work is moving forward. We’re getting closer to the point
where we capable beating them and I’m really excited for this match.

“Sunday’s match is one that will feature two very even teams.
It’s going to be a very good match and is one we’ve been pushing
and training to win. “

DIG FOR THE CURE
Auburn will take part in the annual “Dig For The Cure” on Friday as
a part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Free pink sunglasses
will be handed out to the first 300 fans and free pink shakers will be
available while supplies last. Donations are welcome and all proceeds
will benefit the East Alabama Medical Center Foundation’s Breast
Cancer Fund.

TIGERS DROP TWO ON THE ROAD
Auburn fell in two tough SEC matches on the road this past weekend. The
Tigers fell 3-0 to No. 10 Kentucky on Oct. 9 and 3-0 at Tennessee on
Oct. 11.

Juniors Alyssa Davis and Lauren Mellor led the squads on the weekend.
Davis finished with 12 kills and a .357 attack percentage, while Mellor
tallied 14 kills and a .333 attack percentage. Junior setter Sara Shanks
finished with 41 assists, while classmate Liz Crouch recorded 22 digs.

AUBURN IN THE RPI RANKINGS
The first NCAA Division I Volleyball RPI of 2009 came out earlier this
week, putting Auburn No. 69 in the nation. Auburn jumped 163 spots from
last season when the team finished No. 232 in the country. The young
squad is the fifth-highest ranked team in the SEC, currently behind No.
9 Florida, No. 11 LSU, 13th-ranked Kentucky and No. 20 Tennessee.

“We are very excited to be moving into the top 70 in the nation and
look to move past that into the top 60,” Benson said. “It is
apparent that things are moving in the right direction for Auburn
volleyball.”

TIGERS ON THE ATTACK
Auburn attackers enter the weekend as the fourth-best hitting squad in
the Southeastern Conference and are 60th in the country. As a team, the
Tigers are hitting .238 with 815 kills on 2108 attacks and 313 errors.

Davis continues to be among the conference’s leaders in hitting,
averaging a .350 attack percentage (95 kills, 23 errors, 206 attempts).
Freshman Sarah Bullock has a team-best 158 total kills and is averaging
2.51 kills per set. Junior Morgan Johns is second with 142 total kills,
while sophomore Kelly Fidero has 132 on the season.

FLORIDA GATORS
The No. 9 Florida Gators travel to Auburn with a 12-3 overall record
and a 6-2 record in the SEC. The Gators split last week’s matches,
defeating South Carolina on Oct. 7 (3-1) and falling at LSU (3-0) on
Oct. 11.

Colleen Ward and Kristy Jaeckel lead the squad offensively, tallying
186 and 177 kills on the season, respectively. Senior libero Elyse
Cusack has a team-best 235 digs and currently ranks third in the
conference with a 4.20 dig average.

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS
South Carolina enters the weekend with a 10-7 overall record and is 2-6
in conference play. The Gamecocks dropped a pair of SEC matches last
week, falling to Florida 3-1 on Oct. 7 and to LSU 3-0 on Oct. 9.

Leading the squad offensively is Hannah Lawing, who has 209 total kills
on the season and averages 2.17 kills per set. Ivana Kujundzic has a
team-best 4.13 kills per set average, while Sarah Cline leads the squad
with 308 total digs.

UP NEXT
Auburn continues its homestand, hosting in-state rival Alabama on Oct.
23 at 6 p.m. The Tigers close out the weekend with a 1:30 p.m. match
against Mississippi State.