Trojans Ready for SBC Road Action

Live Stats vs. UALR

TROY, Ala. – After starting Sun Belt play 2-0 a weekend ago, the Troy volleyball team rides a five-match winning streak into its first Sun Belt road matches of the season.

The Trojans travel to Arkansas to take on UALR on Friday at 7:00 p.m. before closing out the weekend at Arkansas State on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Live stats will be available for Friday's match at the above link, however, live stats are not available for Saturday's match.

“We've got a difficult weekend ahead against two really good teams,” head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. “This time of year is always exciting. Both of these teams are very good and if we don't play our best this weekend, we won't win.”

Check back with TroyTrojans.com throughout the weekend for recaps and results. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter @TroyAthletics or become a fan on Facebook.

TROY

2011 Record: 12-4 (2-0)
Last Time Out: W (3-1) vs. Louisiana
Head Coach: Sonny Kirkpatrick (Sixth Season)

The Trojans enter the weekend's action as winners of their last five, however that doesn't mark the longest streak of the season for Troy as they rattled off six straight earlier in September.

Troy also comes in with a 2-0 record in Sun Belt play for the first time since joining the conference. Troy was last 2-0 to open league play in 2003 as a member of the A-Sun Conference. The Trojans started that season 4-0 in A-Sun play.

The Trojans have been led by a strong defense that has held opponents to a .157 attack percentage, the second best mark in the Sun Belt. Pacing that defense is Courtney Cohen who averages 4.98 digs/set, also the second best mark in the league.

The Troy offense, which sits fifth in the SBC with a .217 attack percentage is set up by first-year setter Alexandra Alexander. Despite converting to setter over the summer, Alexander has caught on quick as she sits second in the conference with a 10.67 assists/set average.

The Trojans front line is a balanced one as no player averages over 3.00 kills/set, but four players are over the 2.00 mark. The fight for the team lead is a close one as Breanna Cullity (2.78), Kayla Pickart (2.76) and Natasha Kolunija (2.75) are all near the top.

Devin Von Pingel (2.10) is also over 2.00 and boasts a team-best .352 attack percentage, the second best mark in the league.

UALR

2011 Record: 5-12 (0-3)
Last Time Out: L (1-3) at Arkansas State
Head Coach: Van Compton (23rd Season)
Series Record: UALR leads 5-1

The Trojans enter at 0-3 in Sun Belt play, but with some tough matches under their belt. UALR took league front runner WKU to the wire in their SBC opener, falling to the Lady Toppers, who have won 12 straight, in five sets.

UALR then fell in straight sets at Middle Tennessee before losing to Arkansas State in four sets in Jonesboro on Tuesday.

The Trojans have lost four straight overall and are led by Edina Begic who averages 3.34 kills/set. Emily Pepperman lead the UALR defense at 3.08 digs/set.

UALR holds a 5-1 advantage in the series over Troy, however, that one win for Troy came a year ago in straight sets. Troy has never won in Little Rock in two chances.

ARKANSAS STATE

2011 Record: 11-6 (2-1)
Last Time Out: W (3-1 vs. UALR
Head Coach: Justin Ingram (Third Season)
Series Record: ASU leads 7-0

The Red Wolves enter at 2-1 in SBC play with the one loss coming to front runner WKU. ASU opened Sun Belt play by defeating Middle Tennessee on the road, marking the first ever win by the Red Wolves over the Blue Raiders.

In their most recent contest, Arkansas State took care of UALR in four sets on Tuesday.

The Red Wolves are led offensively by All-Sun Belt performer Cayla Fielder who averages 3.16 kills/set, the sixth best mark in the league. Allison Kearney (0.51) is one of two players in the Sun Belt averaging more than 0.50 service aces/set.

Defensively, Megan Baska paces the Red Wolves at 4.61 digs/set.

The Trojans have never defeated ASU in seven tries, that includes an 0-2 mark in Jonesboro.

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