Trojans Set to Begin Sun Belt Play

Friday, September 23

Troy, Ala.

7:00 p.m.

Troy University

University of Louisiana at Monroe

Photo by: Cass Davis

9/22/2011 1:50:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Matt Mays

Live Stats
Live Video

TROY, Ala. – With non-conference in their rearview mirror, the Troy volleyball team looks to build on it's three-match winning streak as Sun Belt play begins this weekend.

The Trojans welcome ULM to Sartain Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Friday before Louisiana comes to town on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. Live stats and live video of both matches can be seen at the above links.

“Conference play is what we've worked for up to this point,” said head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick. “Everybody is 0-0 right now and we understand that our non-conference record doesn't matter right not. We've got to prove ourselves we when step on floor and we're excited to be able to start it at home.”

“Both of these teams are playing really well right now,” Kirkpatrick said. “For us to compete, we'll have to be at top of our game. ULM has really improved over the last two years and ULL beat us last year. It's going to take our best effort.”

Check back with TroyTrojans.com for results and recaps from both matches. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter @TroyAthletics or on Facebook.

TROY

2011 Record: 10-4, 0-0 SBC
Last Time Out: W (3-0) vs. Mercer
Head Coach: Sonny Kirkpatrick (Sixth Season)

The Trojans enters this weekend's matches as winners of three straight, including a straight set victory over Mercer on Tuesday that marked the 600th win in program history. Troy enters conference play with its best record since 2000 when the Trojans began A-Sun play at 11-3.

Troy is also a perfect 3-0 at home thus far this season, a first since 2003 when the Trojans started the season 5-0 at Sartain Hall.

The Trojans have used an excellent defense throughout their non-conference slate, holding opponents to a .158 attack percentage, the third best mark in the Sun Belt. Troy leads the league at 16.68 digs/set.

Individually, sophomore libero Courtney Cohen also leads the league with a 5.13 digs/set average, despite seeing her streak of 12 matches with at least 15 digs come to an end on Tuesday night.

Offensively, Alexandra Alexander does a great job of setting up a balanced Trojan attack as she sits second in the Sun Belt with a 10.77 assists/set average. No Trojan averages over 3.00 kills/set, but four are over the 2.00 mark.

Breanna Cullity currently leads the way at 2.90 kills/set, but Kayla Pickart is just behind her at 2.80 kills/set. Natasha Kolunija (2.60) and Devin Von Pingel (2.06) are the others over 2.00 kills/set. Von Pingel leads the team and sits third in the league with a .346 attack percentage.

ULM

2011 Record: 6-4, 0-0 SBC
Last Time Out: W (3-2) vs. Alabama A&M
Head Coach: Ernest Vazquez (Second Season)
Series History: Troy leads 7-0

The Warhawks enter Sartain Hall on Friday night looking to snap an 81-match Sun Belt skid. The Warhawks last won a Sun Belt match in 2006. However, in 2011, ULM is off to its best start in years under second-year head coach Ernest Vazquez.

The Warhawks come into Sartain Hall after going 2-1 at the Nicholls Bayou Invitational last weekend. ULM defeated Alabama A&M and Grambling but fell to host Nicholls state.

Blanca Ocana and Zuzana Markova lead the Warhawks at 3.04 and 3.02 kills/set, respectively. Like the Trojans, the Warhawks have shut down their opponent's offense this season as they have held their opponents to a .153 attack percentage, the second best mark in the Sun Belt.

The Trojans are 7-0 all-time against the Warhawks, having dropped just three sets in the seven matches combined. Troy is 3-0 against ULM at Sartain Hall.

LOUISIANA

2011 Record: 8-8, 0-0 SBC
Last Time Out: W (3-0) at Southeastern Louisiana
Head Coach: Heather Mazeitis (Fourth Season)
Series History: Troy leads 5-4

The Ragin' Cajuns open Sun Belt play at South Alabama on Friday before they travel to Troy for Sunday's match-up. They'll enter the match with the Lady Jags as winners of their last two, including a straight-set win on the road at Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday.

After starting the season 5-2, the Cajuns hit a slide, and at one point were two games under .500 at 6-8. The Cajuns rely on a tough serving game as they enter the weekend second in the league at 1.72 aces/set. Taylor Meade leads the Cajuns and the Sun Belt at 0.58 aces/set.

Meade is also the Cajuns' leader with 3.25 digs/set while Lesley Mirarchi paces the squad with 2.49 kills/set average. Mirarchi is one of three Cajuns averaging over 2.00 kills/set.

The Trojans lead the tight series between the two squads, 5-4. However, Sartain Hall has been friendly to Troy as they are 3-0 against the Cajuns at home. Last season Troy fell in four sets in Lafayette.