Troy University Athletics
Friday, August 26
Athens, Ga.
6 P.M.
Troy University
at
Georgia
Volleyball Opens 2022 Season with Classic City Clash
8/25/2022 10:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – In the first three weeks of the 2022 volleyball season, the Trojans will find themselves playing on the road beginning in Athens, Ga., this weekend for the Classic City Clash on August 26-27. The 2022 campaign will start with a matchup against Georgia on Friday at 6 p.m. nationally televised on the SEC Network. Then, Troy will wrap up the weekend with a doubleheader on Saturday with matches against Santa Clara and Chattanooga.
"Opening weekend is always exciting," head coach Josh Lauer said. "Our team is looking forward to the tremendous competition in front of us this weekend and the entire season. Our goal is to be our best in November, and the first competitive opportunity on that journey is tomorrow. I'm extremely proud of our team's hard work so far, and I'm looking forward to being a part of the continued growth we will have all season long, as well as every opportunity we get to compete together this fall."
This will be the second consecutive season the Trojans have opened with an opponent hailing from the South Eastern Conference after Troy welcomed Ole Miss to Trojan Arena in 2021.
Troy saw success last season against power five programs after beating three programs in a season for the first time in program history, including two from the SEC (Alabama, LSU).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Matchup: Troy (0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Georgia (0-0, 0-0 SEC)
Where: Athens, Ga. – Stegman Coliseum
When: Friday, August 26 – 6 p.m.
Watch: SEC Network
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3K5d7Mb
The Matchup: Troy (0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Santa Clara (0-0, 0-0 WCC)
Where: Athens, Ga. – Stegman Coliseum
When: Saturday, August 27 – 12 p.m.
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3K5d7Mb
The Matchup: Troy (0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Chattanooga (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)
Where: Athens, Ga. – Stegman Coliseum
When: Saturday, August 27 – 4:30 p.m.
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3K5d7Mb
Know Your Opponent
Georgia: Meeting for the sixth time in program history, the Bulldogs lead the series 3-2. The Trojans won the first matchup in 1978 and again in 1980. The Bulldogs last season finished 12-17 overall and 8-10 in the SEC, putting them eighth. Senior outside hitter Amber Stivrins led the SEC with 30 service aces last season, while Phoebe Awoleye ranked in the top 10 in blocks totaling 76 last year.
Santa Clara: Troy will be looking for their first win against a West Coast Conference member as they are 0-3 in previous matchups. Santa Clara and Troy will play one another for the first time in school history. In their conference, the Broncos finished the 2021 season 12-15 and 8-9. Julia Sangiacomo totaled 374 kills and averaged 3.74 per set last season, ranking fourth in the WCC. As a team, Sant Clara ranked third in digs totaling 1359 and 13.32 per set.
Chattanooga: For the second consecutive year, the Trojans and the Mocs will meet, with Troy coming out victorious in the previous two meetings in a series that dates back to 1993. Chattanooga last beat Troy in 2015. Out of nine teams in the SoCon, the Mocs finished eighth last season with a 7-9 conference record and 11-19 overall. Opponents hit .209 last season, the fourth lowest in the Southern Conference.
"Opening weekend is always exciting," head coach Josh Lauer said. "Our team is looking forward to the tremendous competition in front of us this weekend and the entire season. Our goal is to be our best in November, and the first competitive opportunity on that journey is tomorrow. I'm extremely proud of our team's hard work so far, and I'm looking forward to being a part of the continued growth we will have all season long, as well as every opportunity we get to compete together this fall."
This will be the second consecutive season the Trojans have opened with an opponent hailing from the South Eastern Conference after Troy welcomed Ole Miss to Trojan Arena in 2021.
Troy saw success last season against power five programs after beating three programs in a season for the first time in program history, including two from the SEC (Alabama, LSU).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Matchup: Troy (0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Georgia (0-0, 0-0 SEC)
Where: Athens, Ga. – Stegman Coliseum
When: Friday, August 26 – 6 p.m.
Watch: SEC Network
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3K5d7Mb
The Matchup: Troy (0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Santa Clara (0-0, 0-0 WCC)
Where: Athens, Ga. – Stegman Coliseum
When: Saturday, August 27 – 12 p.m.
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3K5d7Mb
The Matchup: Troy (0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Chattanooga (0-0, 0-0 SoCon)
Where: Athens, Ga. – Stegman Coliseum
When: Saturday, August 27 – 4:30 p.m.
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3K5d7Mb
Know Your Opponent
Georgia: Meeting for the sixth time in program history, the Bulldogs lead the series 3-2. The Trojans won the first matchup in 1978 and again in 1980. The Bulldogs last season finished 12-17 overall and 8-10 in the SEC, putting them eighth. Senior outside hitter Amber Stivrins led the SEC with 30 service aces last season, while Phoebe Awoleye ranked in the top 10 in blocks totaling 76 last year.
Santa Clara: Troy will be looking for their first win against a West Coast Conference member as they are 0-3 in previous matchups. Santa Clara and Troy will play one another for the first time in school history. In their conference, the Broncos finished the 2021 season 12-15 and 8-9. Julia Sangiacomo totaled 374 kills and averaged 3.74 per set last season, ranking fourth in the WCC. As a team, Sant Clara ranked third in digs totaling 1359 and 13.32 per set.
Chattanooga: For the second consecutive year, the Trojans and the Mocs will meet, with Troy coming out victorious in the previous two meetings in a series that dates back to 1993. Chattanooga last beat Troy in 2015. Out of nine teams in the SoCon, the Mocs finished eighth last season with a 7-9 conference record and 11-19 overall. Opponents hit .209 last season, the fourth lowest in the Southern Conference.
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