Troy University Athletics
Friday, September 9
Kennesaw, Ga.
5:00 p.m. (est)
Troy University
vs
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Photo by: Cass Davis
Streaking Trojans Hit the Road
9/8/2011 3:55:00 PM | Volleyball
Tournament Central
Live Stats
TROY, Ala. – The red-hot Troy University volleyball team takes its six-match winning streak to Kennesaw, Ga., this weekend for the 2011 Owls Classic.
The Trojans, who boast the longest current winning streak in the Sun Belt will play three matches on the weekend. Troy kicks the tournament off with UAB on Friday at 4:00 p.m. Troy will then take on Kennesaw State at 9:00 p.m. and Eastern Kentucky at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
“We're looking forward to playing three really good teams,” head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. “We're going to play three teams with three totally different styles, and it'll be fun to see how if our practice this week pays off.”
“We're still looking to get better and hit our stride,” Kirkpatrick said. “And hopefully this weekend will go a long way in helping us do that.”
Live stats for all matches are available through the live stats link above. Be sure to check back with TroyTrojans.com for stats and recaps. Fans can also follow Troy on Twitter @TroyAthletics or become a fan on Facebook.
TROY
2011 Record: 6-2
Last Time Out: W (3-2) at Georgia State
Head Coach: Sonny Kirkpatrick (Sixth Season)
The Trojans fell into an 0-2 hole at Georgia State on Tuesday, putting a five-match winning streak in jeopardy. However, the Trojans fought back to win the third set, 31-29, before taking the final two sets to move their streak to six in a row.
The Trojans are led offensively by Devin Von Pingel who sits second in the Sun Belt with a .451 attack percentage on the year. She is one of four Trojans averaging over 2.00 kills/ set. Kayla Pickart leads the team with at 3.11 kills/set.
Alexandra Alexander sets up the Trojans attack as she currently sits second in the Sun Belt at 10.50 assists/set.
Defensively, the Trojans have held their opponents to a .140 attack percentage on the season, the third best mark in the conference while posting 17.79 digs/set, the best mark in the Sun Belt
Courtney Cohen, who also paces the Sun Belt with at 5.45 digs/set, broke her own school record on Tuesday at GSU by posting 35 digs.
Brittany McClelland leads Troy with at 1.12 blocks/set, placing her fourth in the Sun Belt. McClelland is coming off of a career-high nine total blocks against GSU.
UAB
2011 Record:4-3
Last Time Out: L (2-3) vs. Stephen F. Austin
Head Coach: Kerry Messersmith (Sixth Season)
Series Record: UAB leads 15-1
The Blazers are coming off of a 1-2 showing at the First State Skyhawk Invitational last weekend. UAB defeated UT-Martin before falling to Illinois State and Stephen F. Austin.
The Blazers are led offensively by Ally Slaughter who enters the weekend at 2.52 kills/set. Defensively, Heather Thomas paces the Blazers at 5.28 digs/set, while Sam Serley and Kiriana Hirini each average over 1.00 blocks/set.
The two squads last met in 2009 with UAB winning, 3-1, at Sartain Hall.
KENNESAW STATE
2011 Record: 3-5
Last Time Out: L (0-3) at Georgia
Head Coach: Karen Weatherington (Third Season)
Series Record: Tied 1-1
The Owls are hosting their second consecutive tournament after going 2-1 at the Owls Invitational last weekend. Kennesaw State fell to Oral Roberts in the tournament finale. KSU has lost two straight after following that defeat with a loss at Georgia on Tuesday.
The Owls are led offensively by Justine Young who averages 3.21 kills/set. Defensively, Camille Pedraza paces Kennesaw State at 3.50 digs/set.
The Owls won last year's meeting between the two teams, dropping Troy in straight sets at the Owls Invitational.
EASTERN KENTUCKY
2011 Record: 4-4
Last Time Out: W (3-0) vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore
Head Coach: Lori Duncan (14th Season)
Series Record: First Meeting
The Colonels enter the weekend after posting a 3-1 record at the South Florida Invitational last weekend, including a 3-1 win over the host Bulls. EKU has won three straight matches.
Ashley Edmond paces the Colonel's offense at 3.11 kills/set while Dena Ott's 3.78 digs/set lead the squad. Edmond comes in as the reigning OVC Player of the Week while Abbey Cvelbar is the reigning OVC Setter of the Week.
The Trojans and Colonels have never met on the volleyball court.
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