Troy University Athletics
Thursday, September 12
Troy, Ala.
6 p.m.
Troy University
vs
The Citadel
Troy Volleyball Welcomes The Citadel and Kennesaw State for Troy Invitational
9/11/2024 11:28:00 AM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – Troy volleyball is set to open the Troy Invitational on Thursday evening as they welcome The Citadel to Trojan Arena before hosting Kennesaw State on Saturday to close out the tournament. The first serve on Thursday is set for 6 p.m., while Saturday's match will get underway at 2 p.m.
Troy (3-3) is coming off an impressive 3-0 win over Alabama State on Tuesday night, as the Trojans dominated on offense, especially from the service line. Troy recorded a season-high 13 aces en route to the win, the most by a Troy squad since it recorded 15 against Georgia Southern on Nov. 12, 2021.
The Citadel and Kennesaw State will play a neutral match against each other on Friday at 2 p.m. in Trojan Arena.
Tournament Information
The Matchups: The Citadel at Troy | Kennesaw State at Troy
When: Thursday, September 12, 6 p.m. | Saturday, September 14, 2 p.m.
Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena (5,200)
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Troystats.com.
Building Blocks
The Trojans look to use their strong performance on Tuesday to find success in the final four matches of the non-conference schedule over the next two weeks. Troy got extremely efficient play from Tori Hester on Tuesday, as the outside hitter recorded a match-high 12 kills on a .526 hitting clip – the best of the season for a Trojan. Amiah Butler has also recorded effective offensive showings in back-to-back matches, as she followed her 16-kill showing on Saturday against Cal Poly with 11 kills on .333 hitting against the Hornets.
As a team, Troy is hitting just .194 on the season while its opponents are hitting at a .233 clip. On Tuesday, the Troy defense held Alabama State in check, as the Hornets hit just .096. It was just the second match of the season in which opponents hit under .200 against the Troy defense (Maryland, .154).
Janelle Stuempfig and Jordan Sinness continue to excel in Troy's two-setter offense, as the duo led the Troy attack to 13.0 kills per set on Tuesday night. This season, Troy is also averaging 13.0 k/s. Sinness and Stuempfig have combined for 10.34 assists per set for a total of 212.
Defensively, the Trojans continue to get steady performances from Jaci Mesa (64 digs) and Hester (62 digs). Butler and Ella Broadhead are leading the Trojans blocking efforts through six matches with 16 blocks each.
Scouting The Citadel
The Citadel (3-3) is coming off a 1-2 performance at the Husker Invitational, with a win against Montana State and losses to Denver and Nebraska. Leading the offensive charge has been Ali Ruffin and her 76 kills, with Mackenzie Martin right behind her with 75. The Bulldogs are hitting .206 this season, and have held their opponents to .184.
This is the second matchup between the two teams. Troy won the first matchup 3-0 in Trojan Arena on Sept. 20, 2019.
Scouting Kennesaw State
Kennesaw State (2-5) fell to Mercer 3-1 at home on Tuesday. The Owls last win came on Friday, as they swept Sun Belt foe Appalachian State 3-0 in the Mountaineer Classic. Manu Johnsen leads Kennesaw State with her 90 kills (3.60 k/s) this season. Olivia Burrage is leading the defensive efforts with 17 blocks.
Troy is 2-4 all-time against Kennesaw State, including 0-1 at home. The Owls won the last matchup 3-2 on Sept. 14, 2018 inside Trojan Arena.
Notables
Troy (3-3) is coming off an impressive 3-0 win over Alabama State on Tuesday night, as the Trojans dominated on offense, especially from the service line. Troy recorded a season-high 13 aces en route to the win, the most by a Troy squad since it recorded 15 against Georgia Southern on Nov. 12, 2021.
The Citadel and Kennesaw State will play a neutral match against each other on Friday at 2 p.m. in Trojan Arena.
Tournament Information
The Matchups: The Citadel at Troy | Kennesaw State at Troy
When: Thursday, September 12, 6 p.m. | Saturday, September 14, 2 p.m.
Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena (5,200)
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: Troystats.com.
Building Blocks
The Trojans look to use their strong performance on Tuesday to find success in the final four matches of the non-conference schedule over the next two weeks. Troy got extremely efficient play from Tori Hester on Tuesday, as the outside hitter recorded a match-high 12 kills on a .526 hitting clip – the best of the season for a Trojan. Amiah Butler has also recorded effective offensive showings in back-to-back matches, as she followed her 16-kill showing on Saturday against Cal Poly with 11 kills on .333 hitting against the Hornets.
As a team, Troy is hitting just .194 on the season while its opponents are hitting at a .233 clip. On Tuesday, the Troy defense held Alabama State in check, as the Hornets hit just .096. It was just the second match of the season in which opponents hit under .200 against the Troy defense (Maryland, .154).
Janelle Stuempfig and Jordan Sinness continue to excel in Troy's two-setter offense, as the duo led the Troy attack to 13.0 kills per set on Tuesday night. This season, Troy is also averaging 13.0 k/s. Sinness and Stuempfig have combined for 10.34 assists per set for a total of 212.
Defensively, the Trojans continue to get steady performances from Jaci Mesa (64 digs) and Hester (62 digs). Butler and Ella Broadhead are leading the Trojans blocking efforts through six matches with 16 blocks each.
Scouting The Citadel
The Citadel (3-3) is coming off a 1-2 performance at the Husker Invitational, with a win against Montana State and losses to Denver and Nebraska. Leading the offensive charge has been Ali Ruffin and her 76 kills, with Mackenzie Martin right behind her with 75. The Bulldogs are hitting .206 this season, and have held their opponents to .184.
This is the second matchup between the two teams. Troy won the first matchup 3-0 in Trojan Arena on Sept. 20, 2019.
Scouting Kennesaw State
Kennesaw State (2-5) fell to Mercer 3-1 at home on Tuesday. The Owls last win came on Friday, as they swept Sun Belt foe Appalachian State 3-0 in the Mountaineer Classic. Manu Johnsen leads Kennesaw State with her 90 kills (3.60 k/s) this season. Olivia Burrage is leading the defensive efforts with 17 blocks.
Troy is 2-4 all-time against Kennesaw State, including 0-1 at home. The Owls won the last matchup 3-2 on Sept. 14, 2018 inside Trojan Arena.
Notables
- Tori Hester's 4.90 kills per set ranks seventh in the country and first in the Sun Belt Conference. Her 103 total kills also leads the Sun Belt is 11th in the country.
- Tori Hester's 5.86 points per set is fourth in the country and leads the Sun Belt.
- Led by Jordan Sinness and Janelle Stuempfig, the Trojans are third in the Sun Belt in assists per set with 12.29.
- The Trojans ae 3-0 this season when winning a set. All three of Troy's losses have been sweeps.
- The Trojans are 1-0 all-time against The Citadel, and 2-4 all-time against Kennesaw State.
Players Mentioned
Middle Hitter
/ Volleyball
Outside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Outside Hitter
/ Volleyball
Setter
/ Volleyball
Setter
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