Next Up: Volleyball Takes Winning Streak on the Road
Oct 27, 2010 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 27, 2010
Conference USA Weekly Update (PDF) | Season Statistics (PDF)
10/29/2010 - 10/31/2010
Tulane Green Wave at UAB Blazers/at Memphis Tigers
Start Times: 7:00 p.m. (Friday) and 1:00 p.m. (Sunday)
Arena: Bartow Arena (UAB)/Elma Roane Fieldhouse (Memphis)
Looking at the Green Wave
The Olive and Blue have won two straight matches and are 3-2 in their last five entering their four match road trip. Of their remaining nine matches, the Green Wave will play six of those away from home, but end the season at Fogelman Arena against Southern Miss on Nov. 27.
Through 23 matches, Izabela Grot leads the squad with 251 kills, while Milica Jovic ranks second on the team with 238. Mel Mandelbaum has 774 assists thus far in 2010, to go along with 214 digs, and Elysa Jackson has 66 assists, with the team now utilizing the six-two offensive set. Nikki Osuna has moved into the libero role since the new offense was installed last week and has 29 digs during that span.
Over the past two weeks, Tulane has hit .242 as a team - nearly .050 higher than their season average of .196 - and is limiting their opponents to a .230 hitting clip. Tulane has won a pair of 3-0 decisions over the past two weekends and won their first five-setter of the year against Marshall last Saturday.
The series with the Blazers started in 1988 when Tulane dropped a 3-2 decision in the Tulane Invitational, but the Green Wave rebounded from that loss and have taken a 16-10 advantage in the series. The all-time series with Memphis dates back to the 1976 slate when Tulane nabbed a 2-0 victory, but the Tigers have kept the series in their favor, holding a 19-16 edge over the Olive and Blue.
Scouting the Blazers
The Blazers enter the weekend with a 3-7 record in Conference USA play and a 6-16 overall record in 2010. They are 2-2 in their last four matches, beating Rice at home and UTEP on the road, and are 2-3 in home conference matches.
The UAB attack is led by sophomore Sam Serley with 240 kills in 82 sets, while also leading the team with a .338 hitting percentage. Senior Jordan McDonald ranks second on the team with 230 kills, while Michelle Uzoh (154 kills), Kate Morrell (124) and Ally Slaughter (112). On the defensive side of things, Heather Thomas paces the squad with 434 digs and McDonald is second on the team with 194 digs.
Two setters have been used in the Blazer attack this season, with Alison Woods leading the way with 609 assists and Becca Howard has handed out 239 helpers. Woods also has 169 digs and 13 service aces in 82 sets played.
Scouting the Tigers
Memphis has lost two of its last six matches and is 4-6 in C-USA play this season and 13-9 overall in 2010. After winning nine of their first 12 matches, the Tigers record has suffered since the start of Conference USA action.
Altrese Hawkins leads the Tigers attack with a .318 hitting percentage and 320 kills through 22 matches, Marija Jovanovic ranks second on the squad in kills with 274. Hajnalka Molnar is the primary setter for Memphis, handing out 730 assists, while Christine Bach anchors the defense with 319 digs in 83 sets played thus far in 2010.
As a team, Memphis is close to or better than their opponents in almost every offensive category, except when it comes to net play. The Tigers are allowing their opponents to hit .214 overall, compared to .205 for them, and Memphis' opponents are out-blocking the Tigers 217.5-133.0.
--TulaneGreenWave.com--
