GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum University men's volleyball is set to host nearby Lincoln Memorial on Tuesday (Feb. 2) night in the Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) opener for both teams.
RECAPPING THE WEEK
The Pioneers faced Belmont Abbey in the home opener two days ago, dropping straight sets to the Crusaders.
Overall, Shaun Kampshoff has led the offensive effort with 25 kills, with Colby Landry's 21 and Dane Loup's 15 following. At the setting position, Lucas Blanco is credited with 78-of-85 assists in the early going. Kampshoff and Blanco each have five service aces, trailed by a trio from Landry. The dig category is dominated by Taylor Phillips and his 27 digs. Caleb Slater and Loup have been the biggest contributors at the net with seven (two solo, five assists) and four (four assists) total blocks, respectively.
In the national rankings, Tusculum is ninth in the NCAA in aces per set (1.60), first among the independents.
Individually, Kampshoff is ranked in the top-15 in four categories: aces per set (5th; .714), attacks per set (5th; 9.14), kills per set (13th; 3.57), and points per set (15th; 4.36). All four lead the independent team rosters. Meanwhile, Phillips is fifth in the country with 2.70 digs per set and Blanco's 7.80 assist per set rate is 20th nationally.
LOOKING AHEAD
Lincoln Memorial (1-6, 0-0 IVA) has gone up against some stiff competition already this season, including No. 5 Lewis and Ball State, who received votes in the latest poll. Justin Sharfenaker has net 84 kills, while Jacob Titus is next with 51. Ryan Foy and AJ Risavy have split the setting duties with 113 and 112 assists, respectively. Sharfenaker has landed seven aces with Johansen Negron's five following. Defensively, Attia Soliman narrowly heads up the dig column with 31, while three others have reached 20: Sharfenaker (28), Titus (25), and Matt Bridenbaugh (20). From the front row, Dawson Walker and Pedro Carvalho are credited with over 20 total blocks apiece. As a team, the Railsplitters lead the independent teams in assists per set (10.50) and hitting percentage (.225).
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com. Updated attendance policies for TU home events were announced last week and can be viewed here.
