Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Louisiana
Troy Volleyball Hosts Louisiana
10/17/2024 10:29:00 AM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – For the first time in three weeks, Troy volleyball is back in Trojan Arena as it welcomes Louisiana for a pair of matches on Friday and Saturday.
Troy (7-9, 2-4 SBC) is coming off a four-match road trip that included two matches at Texas State and Georgia Southern. The Trojans went 0-4 during that span. Louisiana (5-10, 1-3 SBC) split its most recent series at home against Southern Miss.
Match Information
The Matchup: Louisiana (5-10, 1-3 SBC) at Troy (7-9, 2-4 SBC)
When: Friday, October 18 – 6 p.m. | Saturday, October 19 – 2 p.m.
Where: Troy, Ala. | Trojan Arena (5,200)
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Troystats.com
Something to Build On
Despite Troy dropping both of its matches at Georgia Southern, Friday's match went to five sets and saw the return of outside hitter Olivia Kwiatkowski, who had not appeared in a match since the Trojans played at Auburn on Sept. 3, 2024. She made a big impact Friday, recording a career-high 16 kills on 24 attempts for a .542 hitting percentage. It was the most efficient performance by a Trojan this season (min. 10 kills).
Star outside hitter Tori Hester put together more dominant performances, as she had 20 kills on Thursday night and 22 on Friday. Her 20 kills on Thursday is tied for third-most in a three-set match in program history. On the weekend she finished with 42 kills on .260 hitting. She also extended her double-digit kill streak to 38 matches, which continues to be the longest known active streak in DI women's volleyball.
In addition to getting Kwiatkowski back, the Trojans also welcomed the return of middle hitter Audrey Worthington, who missed the Texas State series. The sophomore tied her career-high in blocks with six in Troy's match on Thursday night. Worthington is one of Troy's most dynamic defenders at the net. She also recorded three kills in the pair of matches in Statesboro.
The Trojans offense this season continues to utilize a two-setter system highlighted by Janelle Stuempfig and Jordan Sinness. The duo has helped lead Troy to a strong 12.42 kills per set, which is seventh in the Sun Belt. Stuempfig leads the team in assists this season with 329 (5.77 a/s), with Sinness behind her at 238 (4.41 a/s). Stuempfig has also generated some strong attacking out of the setters position, recording 31 kills (0.54 k/s) on a team-best .305 hitting percentage (min. 50 attacks).
While Troy is winless in its last four matches, they continue to rise in the RPI rankings jumping from 96 to 77, which is second in the Sun Belt. Georgia Southern leads the conference at No. 32. The Trojans played one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country, and opened conference play against some of the best teams in the SBC.
Scouting Louisiana
This is the Ragin' Cajuns first road trip of their conference slate after a pair of road matches at App State was canceled due to severe weather. Cami Hicks is leading the Louisiana blocking efforts this season, as her 69 blocks leads the conference. She is also the program leader in blocks during the rally era with 434. Mia Yamamoto was Louisiana's lone member of the 2024 Preseason All-Sun Belt Team, as she was selected as the Preseason SBC Libero of the Year.
While Louisiana is five matches below .500, it's a slightly deceiving record as the Ragin' Cajuns have played through 357 ties and 139 lead chances this season.
The Trojans hold a 16-13 record in the all-time series.
Notables
• Josh Lauer is in his eighth season at the helm of Troy, and boasts a 114-108 record while leading the Trojans.
• In the newest RPI ranking Troy comes in at No. 77, which is 17 spots higher than the first week of rankings. It's good for second in the Sun Belt behind Georgia Southern at No. 32. The Sun Belt has five teams in the top 100 (Ga. Southern, Troy, Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion and App State).
• Troy will play seven matches against teams who qualified for the 2023 Division I NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship.
• Troy is averaging 12.42 kills per set this season, which is seventh in the Sun Belt Conference and 174th in the country.
• Leading the offensive charge this season has been outside hitters Tori Hester and Amiah Butler. Both players have earned Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors this season.
• Tori Hester was impressive last weekend as she totaled 42 kills. In Friday's three-set match she had 20 kills which is tied for third most in a three-set match in program history. On Friday, she had 22 in Troy's 3-2 loss. She finished the weekend hitting .260.
• Tori Hester's 4.88 kills per set is first in the conference and ranks her fifth nationally. Butler is second on the team with 3.49 kills per set, which is fifth in the Sun Belt. Butler is sixth in the SBC in total kills with 199.
• Tori Hester has recorded double-digit kills in 38 straight matches dating back to last season, which is the longest known active streak in Division I Women's Volleyball.
