Troy University Athletics
Troy Travels To The Palmetto State
9/11/2008 5:00:00 AM | Volleyball
CONWAY, SC - The Troy Trojans look to bounce back from a mid-week loss to Auburn, traveling to the Courtyard by Marriott Chanticleer Invitational hosted by Coastal Carolina this weekend.
Troy (4-4), one week removed from the Tiger Invitational championship, open play against the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Friday afternoon at 4 pm. The Trojans are led by junior Meghan Gilroy with 97 total kills, averaging 3.46 kills per set. She is followed by Aubre Smith with 79 total kills, averaging 2.55 per set, and freshman Erin Kissling with 43 total kills. Sophomore Megan Henderson leads the Trojans with 268 total assists, while Meghan Washlow has moved into sixth place all-time with 18 service aces this season and 140 for her career.
Henderson was named the Most Outstanding Player at the Tiger Invitational, while Smith has been named to two all-tournament teams this season and Gilroy one (Tiger Invitational).
Meanwhile, UTC opened the season on a three-match losing streak, but the Mocs have won two of their last three matches. They defeated Alabama A&M in three sets and South Alabama in five sets in their first two matches of the Country Inn & Suites Challenge in Chattanooga, before losing to Central Michigan in the finale. Ashley Yeager is pacing UTC with 50 total kills, averaging 2.38 kills per set. She is followed by Jessica Scott with 32 total kills, averaging 1.52 kills per set. Three other Mocs have registered 24 or more kills so far this season. Meanwhile Lara Newberry leads the way defensively with 102 total digs, 4.86 per set.
Coastal Carolina comes into the tournament having split their last four matches. The Chanticleers defeated Lamar (3-2) and Idaho State (3-0), while falling to Wichita State (0-3) and Cal-State Bakersfield (1-3) in Wichita. Coastal Carolina is led by Chelsy Kimes with 98 total kills, averaging 3.27 kills per set. Megan Bickford has recorded 64 total kills, averaging 2.13 kills per set. Three other players have registered 29 or more kills throughout the Chanticleers first four matches. Defensively, Amanda Russell has recorded 102 total digs.
Georgia State and Troy will renew an old rivalry from the Atlantic Sun days when take the court on Saturday. The two have met 16 times, with GSU holding a 12-4 advantage. This season, the Panthers are 0-6 overall after dropping their last match to the University of Arkansas (0-3). The Panthers have played one ranked team this season, falling to 25th-ranked Michigan last Saturday, 0-3. Georgia State is led by Torrie Brown with 49 total kills, averaging 2.72 kills per set. Four players have registered 31 or more kills this season for Georgia State, including Brown. Defensively, Audrey Cantell has posted 69 total digs.
The Trojans open the tournament against UTC, before playing Coastal Carolina at noon on Saturday followed by Georgia State at 4 pm Saturday afternoon.
