Troy University Athletics
Friday, October 21
Troy, Ala.
7:00 p.m.
Troy University
vs
University of Denver
Troy Returns Home for Two Big Matches
10/20/2011 12:40:00 PM | Volleyball
Live Stats | Live Video
TROY, Ala. – After a tough five-match road swing, the Troy volleyball team is finally back at home this weekend as they host Denver and North Texas at Sartain Hall.
When the Trojans take the floor against Denver on Friday night at 7:00 p.m., it will come nearly four weeks after the Trojans last home match, a win over Louisiana-Lafayette back on September 25.
Troy will close out the weekend by hosting North Texas at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday.
“This a big weekend for us,” head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. “We've got two good teams coming here to Troy, and historically we haven't had a lot of success against either.”
“This is an important part of our season and every match matters as we try to get into the postseason.”
Live stats and live video are available for each match at the links above. Be sure to check back with TroyTrojans.com for results and stats from both matches. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter @TroyAthletics or become fans on Facebook.
TROY
Record: 13-8, 3-4 SBC
Last Time Out: W (3-1) at South Alabama
Head Coach: Sonny Kirkpatrick (Sixth Season)
The Trojans enter Friday's match well rested, having not played in eight days. Troy was last on the floor last Thursday when they knocked off South Alabama in four sets in Mobile. That match marked the last of five straight on the road.
The Trojans now return home where they are 5-0 thus far in 2011. Troy last started 5-0 at Sartain Hall in 2003 and has never started a season 6-0 at home.
Troy is led by a tough defense that sits fourth in the Sun Belt, holding opponents to a .171 team attack percentage. Reigning Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week, Courtney Cohen, is a driving force on that defense as she leads the league with a 4.83 digs/set average.
Offensively, the Trojans feature a balanced attack as four players average between 2.00 and 3.00 kills/set. Natasha Kolunija leads the way at 2.75 kills/set while Breanna Cullity (2.57) and Kayla Pickart (2.52) are just behind her.
Devin Von Pingel averages exactly 2.00 kills/set, but is the team's most consistent hitter as her .343 attack percentage is tops on the team and fourth in the league.
Alexandra Alexander acts as the Trojans setter in the versatile offense and average 9.77 assists/set, the third best mark in the league.
DENVER
Record: 9-12, 6-3 SBC
Last Time Out: W (3-0) vs. ULM
Head Coach: Beth Kuwata (16th Season)
Series: Denver leads 7-0
While the Trojans enter the weekend with the Sun Belt's reigning Defensive Player of the Week, Denver comes in with the reigning Player of the Week in Faimie Kingsley.
Kingsley averages 3.18 kills/set for the Pioneers and was a big part of two wins over ULM and Louisiana-Lafayette last weekend. Her kills/set average ranks sixth in the conference while her .357 attack percentage ranks third.
Julia Cawthra is one of only two setters ahead of Alexander in the Sun Belt rankings as her 9.88 assists/set average sits as the second best in the league.
Defensively, the Pioneers hold opponents to a .160 attack percentage while Lyndi Johnson paces the squad and ranks third in the Sun Belt at 4.33 digs/set.
Troy has never beaten Denver in seven attempts, including three inside Sartain Hall.
NORTH TEXAS
Record: 12-13, 3-6 SBC
Last Time Out: L (2-3) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
Head Coach:Ken Murczek (Second Season)
Series: North Texas leads 5-2
The Mean Green are coming off of a 1-1 weekend in which they defeated ULM in five sets and fell to Louisiana-Lafayette in four sets.
North Texas is led by a pair of hitters who average over 3.00 kills/set in Shelley Morton (3.06) and Eboni Godfrey (3.05). The duo ranks seventh and eighth in the league in that category.
Kayla Saey sets up the Mean Green offense and average 9.74 assists/set, the fourth best mark in the league.
The Mean Green take on South Alabama on Friday before making the drive up to Troy.
The Trojans are 2-5 all-time against North Texas and are 1-2 against them inside of Sartain Hall.
Troy vs. Georgia State (Full Highlights)
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Players Postgame (Georgia State)
Thursday, February 05
Scott Cross Postgame (Georgia State)
Thursday, February 05
Player Postgame Press Conference (Zay Dyer, Emani Jenkins) - App State
Thursday, February 05