Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Edward Fieder
Trojans Return Home to Face USA
10/31/2011 10:58:00 AM | Volleyball
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TROY, Ala. – The Troy volleyball team begins a five-match home stand to close out the regular season on Tuesday as they welcome rival South Alabama to Sartain Hall.
The meeting will be the second of the year between the Trojans and Jaguars. Troy won the last meeting, 3-1, in Mobile earlier in October.
The Trojans and Jags are set to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Sartain Hall. Check back with TroyTrojans.com for results and stats. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter @TroyAthletics or become fans on Facebook.
TROY
2011 Record: 15-10, 5-6
Last Time Out: W (3-2) at Florida Atlantic
Head Coach: Sonny Kirkpatrick (Sixth season)
The Trojans have a two-game cushion over South Alabama in the Sun Belt East Division standings, and if the Sun Belt Tournament started today, the Trojans would be the sixth seed. However, all of that goes out the window when these two squads meet.
Since the Trojans entered Division I in 1993, the series is very close, with Troy holding an 18-16 advantage, including the win earlier this season in Mobile.
The Trojans finished their road schedule last weekend as they fell in four sets at FIU before winning in five sets at Florida Atlantic. With the split, Troy closes out the regular season with a 9-9 mark away from Sartain Hall. Troy will play its last five at home where they are 6-1 thus far this season.
The Trojans are led by a defense that holds opponents to a .171 attack percentage, the third best mark in the league. Courtney Cohen leads that defense as her 4.69 digs/set average is tops in the Sun Belt. With 436 digs already to her credit this season, Cohen is on pace to break the school record of 488.
Brittany McClelland is also on the doorstep of school history as she sits with 225 career block assists. That ties the senior with former Trojans Meghan Gilroy for the school record.
Offensively, the Trojans are led by Natasha Kolunija who averages 2.83 kills/set overall and 3.23 in Sun Belt, which ranks in the league's Top 10. Breanna Cullity (2.60), Kayla Pickart (2.32) and Devin Von Pingel (2.11) also average over 2.00 kills/set for the Trojans.
Alexandra Alexander sets up the attack as her 9.65 assists/set average places her fifth in the Sun Belt.
SOUTH ALABAMA
2011 Record: 8-15, 3-8
Last Time Out: L (0-3) at FIU
Head Coach: Nicole Keshock (Ninth season)
Series: Troy leads 18-16
The Jags also split a pair with FIU and Florida Atlantic last weekend as they fell to the Panthers but defeated the Owls on the road. The win over Florida Atlantic on Friday snapped a seven-match skid for South Alabama.
Offensively, Melissa Waelter leads a balanced Jaguar attack with 2.53 kills/set. Katrina Kananen's 9.74 assists/set average leads the Jags and places fourth in the Sun Belt.
Defensively, opponents hit .212 against USA while Jenna Hassell leads the team with a 3.59 digs/set average.
The Jags are 5-9 in Troy since the Trojans moved to Division I in 1993.
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