Troy University Athletics
Thursday, September 15
Troy, Ala.
6 p.m.
Troy University
vs
Alabama State
Troy Volleyball Hosts Trojan Invitational
9/14/2022 10:13:00 AM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – For the first time this season, Troy volleyball will play in front of the home fans as they host the Trojan Invitational at Trojan Arena from Thursday, September 15 through Saturday, September 17, with Alabama State, Gardner-Webb, and Jacksonville all participating.
"We are more than ready to be back in Trojan Arena," head coach Josh Lauer said. "Three weeks in a row on the road has been a great challenge for our team, and everyone is excited to be back at home in front of our fans and the Troy volleyball family. Trojan Arena is the best venue in the Sun Belt for volleyball, and I know we are all looking forward to an energetic and competitive weekend."
The invitational will kick off with Troy playing Alabama State at 6 p.m. on Thursday as the in-state opponents meet for the 35th time in program history. Troy is a perfect 34-0 against the Hornets, including 17-0 at home.
On Friday night, the Trojans will take on the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb at 6 p.m., with Troy having never lost to the visitors. This will be the first time since 2004 that these two teams match up.
The weekend is wrapped up at 2 p.m. with Troy taking on Jacksonville on a two-game win streak against the Dolphins and the first meeting since 2019.
With 4840 assists in her career, Amara Anderson moves into second place all-time in assists and needs 132 assists to break the record and become Troy's all-time assist leader.
Freshman Jaci Mesa will be looking to build off her first start of the year against UAB, as she recorded a team-high 18 digs in the Trojan's win over the Blazers. Also, in the win, Savannah Poling notched a career-high in kills with 10 for her first double-digit kill game.
Tori Hester continues to be one of Troy's top players this season in the Sun Belt Conference as the Salisbury, N.C. native ranks fourth in the conference averaging 3.86 kills per set. Her 135 total kills are second best, and Hester has accumulated 152 points which are second in the Sun Belt and 36th in the nation.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Matchup: Troy (4-5, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Alabama State (1-10, 0-0 SWAC)
Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
When: Thursday, September 15 – 6 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3xfI3DW
The Matchup: Troy (4-5, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Gardner-Webb (2-7, 0-0 Big South)
Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
When: Friday, September 16 – 6 p.m.
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3qwj1gf
The Matchup: Troy (4-5, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Jacksonville (4-5, 0-0 ASUN)
Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
When: Saturday, September 17 – 2 p.m.
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3RThwo3
Know Your Opponent
Alabama State: The Hornets have only won one game all season, coming against South Carolina State University. There have only been two instances since 2007 when Alabama State took a set from the Trojans. Last season the Trojans held the Hornets to 38 points in the match with a .160 hitting percentage. Anderson had 38 assists, with Julia Brooks putting down eight kills.
Gardner-Webb: Trojans have never dropped a match to the Bulldogs, who come to the invitational 2-7. They average 12 kills per set, hitting .213. Their opponents have almost doubled their total digs as Gardner-Webb has 324 on the year with 340 by the opposition. They have only seen one match go five sets.
Jacksonville: After losing the first three games of the season, Jacksonville is 4-2 in their last six. The Dolphins got swept by Troy in their previous meeting, which saw Halston Hillier, Ashley Guenveur, Anderson, and Brooks all participate in the win. They rank first in the ASUN Conference in aces and ninth in the nation averaging 2.35 per set. Kariana Ayala-Drew averages 4.90 digs per set, which leads the conference along with two top-five blockers in the ASUN in Lyric Love and Haley Hart
"We are more than ready to be back in Trojan Arena," head coach Josh Lauer said. "Three weeks in a row on the road has been a great challenge for our team, and everyone is excited to be back at home in front of our fans and the Troy volleyball family. Trojan Arena is the best venue in the Sun Belt for volleyball, and I know we are all looking forward to an energetic and competitive weekend."
The invitational will kick off with Troy playing Alabama State at 6 p.m. on Thursday as the in-state opponents meet for the 35th time in program history. Troy is a perfect 34-0 against the Hornets, including 17-0 at home.
On Friday night, the Trojans will take on the Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb at 6 p.m., with Troy having never lost to the visitors. This will be the first time since 2004 that these two teams match up.
The weekend is wrapped up at 2 p.m. with Troy taking on Jacksonville on a two-game win streak against the Dolphins and the first meeting since 2019.
With 4840 assists in her career, Amara Anderson moves into second place all-time in assists and needs 132 assists to break the record and become Troy's all-time assist leader.
Freshman Jaci Mesa will be looking to build off her first start of the year against UAB, as she recorded a team-high 18 digs in the Trojan's win over the Blazers. Also, in the win, Savannah Poling notched a career-high in kills with 10 for her first double-digit kill game.
Tori Hester continues to be one of Troy's top players this season in the Sun Belt Conference as the Salisbury, N.C. native ranks fourth in the conference averaging 3.86 kills per set. Her 135 total kills are second best, and Hester has accumulated 152 points which are second in the Sun Belt and 36th in the nation.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Matchup: Troy (4-5, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Alabama State (1-10, 0-0 SWAC)
Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
When: Thursday, September 15 – 6 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3xfI3DW
The Matchup: Troy (4-5, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Gardner-Webb (2-7, 0-0 Big South)
Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
When: Friday, September 16 – 6 p.m.
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3qwj1gf
The Matchup: Troy (4-5, 0-0 Sun Belt) vs. Jacksonville (4-5, 0-0 ASUN)
Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena
When: Saturday, September 17 – 2 p.m.
Live Stats: gotroy.us/3RThwo3
Know Your Opponent
Alabama State: The Hornets have only won one game all season, coming against South Carolina State University. There have only been two instances since 2007 when Alabama State took a set from the Trojans. Last season the Trojans held the Hornets to 38 points in the match with a .160 hitting percentage. Anderson had 38 assists, with Julia Brooks putting down eight kills.
Gardner-Webb: Trojans have never dropped a match to the Bulldogs, who come to the invitational 2-7. They average 12 kills per set, hitting .213. Their opponents have almost doubled their total digs as Gardner-Webb has 324 on the year with 340 by the opposition. They have only seen one match go five sets.
Jacksonville: After losing the first three games of the season, Jacksonville is 4-2 in their last six. The Dolphins got swept by Troy in their previous meeting, which saw Halston Hillier, Ashley Guenveur, Anderson, and Brooks all participate in the win. They rank first in the ASUN Conference in aces and ninth in the nation averaging 2.35 per set. Kariana Ayala-Drew averages 4.90 digs per set, which leads the conference along with two top-five blockers in the ASUN in Lyric Love and Haley Hart
Players Mentioned
Setter
/ Volleyball
Middle Hitter
/ Volleyball
Outside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Outside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Right Side Hitter
/ Volleyball
Middle Hitter
/ VolleyballTroy vs. UAB (Full Highlights)
Monday, December 15
Players Postgame Press Conference (UAB)
Sunday, December 14
Scott Cross Postgame Press Conference (UAB)
Sunday, December 14
Troy vs. Oakwood (Full Highlights)
Wednesday, December 10