Troy University Athletics
Friday, November 11
Troy, Ala.
5:00 p.m.
Troy University
vs
Florida Atlantic University
Troy Looking to Move On
11/10/2011 12:56:00 PM | Volleyball
Live Stats | Live Video
TROY, Ala. – The Troy volleyball team closes out the regular season with two home matches this weekend as they look to secure a spot in the eight-team Sun Belt Tournament which begins next week.
The Trojans (15-13, 5-9) host Florida Atlantic at 5:00 p.m. on Friday at Sartain Hall before hosting FIU at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday.
“This is a big weekend for of us,” head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. “Our players have come to Troy expecting to be in matches like the ones we have in front of us this weekend.”
“This is a great opportunity for them to represent this university and get us in a position that we want to continue to be in which is the Sun Belt Tournament.:
Troy, who enters the weekend in a three-way tie with UALR and Louisiana for the final two spots in the tournament, needs at least one win this weekend to have a good chance at qualifying for the tournament.
Two wins would guarantee the Trojans a spot in the tournament but two losses would guarantee that they wouldn't make it.
Check back with TroyTrojans.com throughout the weekend for updates. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter @TroyAthletics or on Facebook.
STORYLINES
- The Trojans will honor their three seniors (Natasha Kolunija, Laura Mackley and Brittany McClelland) just prior to the beginning of Saturday's match.
“Saturday will be a great culmination for our seniors,” Kirkpatrick said. “I couldn't be more proud of their contributions to the program and I wish them nothing but success in the rest of their lives.”
- Sophomore libero Courtney Cohen enters the weekend just eight digs shy of tying Troy's single-season record. Cohen has already posted 480 digs on the year as she nears Vicki Paciski's school record of 488. Paciski set the record in 1997, a season in which she led the NCAA in digs/set.
- McClelland is also on the verge of history as she sits with 280 career total blocks. That is just four away from passing Aubre Smith for second place on Troy's career list. McClelland already holds Troy's career record with 235 block assists.
- Not only would at least one win on the weekend keep the Trojans in the hunt for the Sun Belt Tournament, it would also guarantee their first winning regular season since 2003 when they finished the regular season 13-12.
- If the Trojans qualify for the Sun Belt Tournament, it will mark just their second appearance and the first since 2005.
- Florida Atlantic is currently winless in league play at 0-14 and sits with a 3-24 mark overall.
- FIU is already guaranteed a spot in the Sun Belt Tournament and currently holds the fourth seed. The Panthers are 9-5 in Sun Belt play and just half a game ahead of Denver. FIU is 18-8 overall in 2011.
- The Sun Belt Tournament begins on Thursday and is hosted by FIU.
Players Postmatch Press Conference - Southern Miss (Saturday)
Saturday, November 08
Josh Lauer Postmatch Press Conference - Southern Miss (Saturday)
Saturday, November 08
Troy vs. Furman (Full Highlights)
Saturday, November 08
Players Postgame Press Conference (Furman)
Saturday, November 08