GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University men's volleyball team has the all-clear to compete once more, resurfacing for a grueling week. The Pioneers will face Erskine twice in a six-day span, Monday (Jan. 31) in South Carolina and Saturday (Feb. 5) in Tennessee. TU will also visit North Greenville on Tuesday (Feb. 1) and host Alderson Broaddus in the Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) opener on Friday (Feb. 4).
RECAPPING THE WEEK
Tusculum (0-2, 0-0 IVA) last played on January 15. They kicked off its season with a pair of matches against North Greenville and historic Ball State. The Pioneers were able to snag a set from the Crusaders, but were swept by the Cardinals.
Jake Whyte and Dane Loup led TU with 16 and 11 kills, respectively, through the team's two matches. Colby Landry (9), Deklan Wingo (8), Shaphar Grant (7), and Shaun Kampshoff (7) have also contributed to the offensive category. Kampshoff is also hitting on a .462 percentage, while dishing out 45 assists as the Pioneer setter. He (3) and Landry are responsible for the team's service aces thus far.
Defensively, Loup leads the way with 17 digs, ahead of 10 by Landry. Wingo is credited with four total blocks (two solo, two assists), while Grant has notched one of each.
LOOKING AHEAD
Erskine (0-7) and Tusculum will play one another twice in the same week, as part of a home-and-home agreement. The Flying Fleet have had tough opponents to start the season, including four matches against nationally-ranked foes during their California trip. Edgerrin Austin and Kacper Rybarczyk lead Erskine with 41 and 39 kills, respectively. Juan Alcoba has dished out 121 assists, while Jason Sall and Aidon Love have landed four aces each. Defensively, Alex Ruiz (35) and Sall (29) have combined for 64 digs as Jon Fuller is credited with 11 total blocks (one solo, 10 assists).
North Greenville (2-1) downed TU in four sets as the 2022 season opener. The Crusaders split a pair of matches and will travel to face George Mason before hosting the Pioneers. Diego Rosich (30) and Gregory Torres (22) have provided the majority of the NGU offense, which is run by Sergio Carrillo and his 84 assists. Rosich (5) and Emanuel Adames (4) are credited with over half of the Crusaders' 13 aces. Adames has been the best blocker with eight stuffs (three solo, five assists), while Torres has tallied a team-best 21 digs.
Alderson Broaddus (1-3, 0-0 IVA) played three matches within a 24-hour span last weekend and have another away match before facing TU in the IVA opener. Gannon Chinen (25), Jaelin Gray (24), and Michael Schweinefuss (23) are neck-and-neck in the kill category for the Battlers. Nathaniel Brownlee has collected 76 assists and is tied for the team lead in aces (3) with Chinen and Schweinefuss. The trio are also responsible for the most digs with 14, 13, and 10, respectively. Gray and Andrew Nielsen are credited with 10 total blocks at the net.
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
At Erskine, fans are encouraged to mask and social distance and venues are operating at full capacity.
In its recently updated policies, North Greenville is requiring masks for all attendees, which must be worn properly throughout the match.
Tusculum is mandating all spectators to wear masks and/or face coverings during indoor events. Seating capacity is limited to 50%.
