Trojans Open Season with Four Matches in Clemson

2014 Media Guide | 2014 Roster
Live Stats | Live Video (Clemson match only)

CLEMSON, South Carolina – The Troy volleyball team opens its 2014 season on Friday and Saturday with four matches at the Big Orange Bash, hosted by Clemson at Jervey Gym.

The Trojans will take on Austin Peay and UNC Asheville on Friday at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. CST, respectively, on Friday. Troy will play USC Upstate and Clemson at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. CST, respectively, on Saturday. Live stats for all matches can be found at ClemsonTigers.com. Live video for Saturday's match against Clemson will also be available.

Troy, entering its ninth season under head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick, is coming off of a 13-21 record in 2013, but ended the season on a high note. The Trojans defeated regular season champion WKU in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt Championships, marking the first win over volleyball power WKU in program history.

The quarterfinal put Troy into its second straight Sun Belt Championships semifinal, that after not advancing to one in the Trojans' first seven years in the conference.

The Trojans return five starters and 11 letterwinners from last year's team, including Preseason All-Sun Belt selection Marija Zelenovic. The senior hitter posted 454 kills a season ago, the third most in a single-season in Troy history.

Troy will have to replace a four-year starter at libero in Courtney Cohen and a three-year starter at setter in Alexandra Alexander who both graduated following last season.

Austin Peay is coming off of a 13-22 season in 2013 that saw them finish second in the West Division of the Ohio Valley Conference with a 9-7 league record. Troy is 1-6 all-time against the Lady Governors, but the two sides haven't met since 1999.

UNC Asheville went 17-14 a year ago, including a 7-7 mark in the Big South. The Bulldogs and Trojans have split two all-time meetings, with the last coming in 2011 when UNC Asheville defeated the Trojans in a five-set season opener.

USC Upstate went 5-23 in 2013, including 4-14 in the A-Sun. Like Troy, the Spartans return five starters. Troy and USC Upstate have never met on the volleyball court.

Clemson is coming off of a 15-16 campaign in 2013 that saw them finish 10^th in the ACC with a 9-11 conference record. The Tigers won the only meeting between the two teams, defeating Troy last season, also at Jervey Gym in Clemson.

For recaps from all four matches, plus more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can find Troy volleyball on Twitter at @TroyTrojansVB. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube by searching for Troy Athletics.

Troy University Athletics

Trojans Open Season with Four Matches in Clemson

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