Trojans Set to Open Conference Play at Home

Thursday, September 26

Troy, Ala.

6:30 PM

Troy University

Arkansas State

Trojans Set to Open Conference Play at Home

9/25/2019 11:43:00 AM | Volleyball

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – Troy is set to open Sun Belt play Thursday against Arkansas State and Friday against Little Rock inside Trojan Arena. First serve for both matches is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Thursday will see a battle of top teams in the conference as Troy (10-2) - which is tied for the top spot in the East Division - takes on West Division leader Arkansas State (9-3).

The Trojans are off to their best start since the school turned Division I in 1993 and are 6-0 inside Trojan Arena this season. Troy has won the first set in 10 straight matches and is 9-2 this season when doing so.

"We're all really excited for the start of conference play," head coach Josh Lauer said. "I think we're excited to see how our preparation stands up in the conference and we'll find out right away against a good opponent like Arkansas State."

The Matchup: Troy (10-2) vs. Arkansas State (9-3)
Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
When: Thursday, Sept. 26 – 6:30 p.m.
Promotion: White out (Fans are encouraged to wear white to Thursday's match.)
Live Stats: http://statb.us/b/268564
Live Stream: ESPN+

The Matchup: Troy (10-2) vs. Little Rock (2-10)
Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
When: Friday, Sept. 27 – 6:30 p.m.
Live Stats: http://statb.us/b/268565
Live Stream: ESPN+

Among the Best
Amara Anderson has placed herself among the top setters in the country so far this season. Her 11.39 assists per set leads the Sun Belt and ranks 10th nationally. Cheyenne Hayes continues to lead the Trojans' offensive efforts, leading the conference and ranking 21st in the nation with 4.56 kills/set on the year.

The Trojans have been hot from the service line this season with two players ranked inside the top 150 in aces per set. Lacey Jeffcoat is 18^th nationally with 0.59 aces per set while Natalie Hummel ranks 101^st with 0.41.

Know Your Opponent – Arkansas State
Arkansas State continues to be a force in the Sun Belt and this year looks to be no different as the Red Wolves lead the West Division with a 9-3 record. Peyton Uhlenhake leads the way offensively for the Red Wolves with 131 kills (3.05 K/S) on the year while Hannah Cox anchors the defense with 190 digs (4.42 DIG/S).

Troy's offense will need to be firing on all cylinders as Arkansas State is holding its opponents to a conference-leading .128 hitting percentage.

Know Your Opponent – Little Rock
The Little Rock offense is led by Carol Barbosa who has registered 104 kills (3.25 K/S) on the year. Diana Giordani has been solid in the back row with 171 digs this season. Giordani's 4.17 digs per set is tied for the sixth best in the conference.

Troy Volleyball Quick Hitters

The Trojans' 10-2 record is the best start for a Troy team since the school went Division I in 1993. Troy's 10 non-conference wins are tied for the most since 2002.
Troy is unbeaten at home this season after getting off to a 6-0 start inside Trojan Arena.
Trojans lead the conference in four major statistical categories. Cheyenne Hayes leads in kills/set (4.56) and points/set (4.98), Amara Anderson leads in assists/set (11.39), Lacey Jeffcoat leads in aces/set (0.59).
Starting Fast: Troy has won the first set in 10 straight matches. The Trojans are 9-2 this season when winning the opening set.
Troy ranks 23rd in the nation in kills/set (13.90) and 27th in assists/set (12.78).
Amara Anderson and Julia Brooks both received Sun Belt Player of the Week honors, the league announced Monday. Anderson was named Setter of the Week while Brooks was named Freshman of the Week.
Anderson has placed herself among the top setters in the country so far this season. Her 11.39 assists per set ranks 10th nationally.
Julia Brooks' .299 hitting percentage this season leads the team and ranks ninth in the Sun Belt (Min. 3.0 TA/Set).
Brooks had a monster weekend en route to earning MVP honors at the Trojan Classic. The freshman was incredibly efficient offensively, hitting .438 against The Citadel and .520 against Southern. Brooks also recorded a career-high 17 kills against Southern. She also made her presence felt at the net defensively with nine total blocks on the weekend.
Cheyenne Hayes ranks 21st nationally with 4.56 kills/set.
Lacey Jeffcoat's 0.59 aces/set rank 18th nationally.
Natalie Hummel has recorded 17 service aces this season. Her 0.41 aces/set are the seventh-most in the conference.