GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University men's volleyball team is set to return to Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) action after a nearly month-long non-conference stretch. The Pioneers will travel to the Carolinas to face-off against Queens (Mar. 26) and Limestone (Mar. 27) in afternoon showdowns.
RECAPPING THE WEEK
Tusculum (5-15) is on a six-match skid, including the last four against nationally-ranked foes. The Pioneers traveled to Arizona for three matches at Grand Canyon, two against the hosting Lopes and one neutral contest against Benedictine Mesa.
Jake Whyte led the offensive in every match, recording 29 kills overall. Shaphar Grant landed eight kills in the rematch against Grand Canyon on a .500 hitting percentage. Shaun Kampshoff tallied 79 assists over the weekend, while Taylor West scooped up 15 digs, including a best nine against the Redhawks. Kampshoff landed a service ace in every match for a total of four and was the only Pioneer to record a service point in the second contest against the Lopes. At the net, Grant had seven total blocks (three solo, four assists), one ahead of Kampshoff's six (three solo, three assists).
On the season, Whyte leads the offense with 203 kills, while Landry follows with 133. Loup and Grant are close behind with 122 and 119 kills, respectively. Kampshoff has handed out 593 assists and landed 39 service aces. Five Pioneers have at least 75 digs on the season: Kampshoff (88), Taylor West (80), Whyte (79), Landry (78), and Loup (78). Grant has tallied 49 blocks (14 solo, 35 assists), ahead of Wingo's 43 (nine solo, 34 assists).
Nationally, Tusculum ranks 22nd in aces per set (1.41). Individually, Kampshoff is sixth in aces per set (.549) and Whyte is 20th in attacks per set (7.89).
LOOKING AHEAD
Queens (9-10, 3-1 IVA) hosts Lincoln Memorial in an IVA weekend of its own before the Pioneers invade on Saturday. The Royals swept TU in their February meeting in Pioneer Arena. Jack Brinkman has tallied 217 kills, an average of just over three per set. Daniel Leitao is close behind with 195 kills on a .290 hitting percentage. Brandon Grabow has 522 assists to his credit, while Brinkman leads the Royals with 22 aces. Leitao has a team-best 156 digs, ahead of Guillermo Jordan (132) and Brinkman (119). JP Payne has had the most success at the net, totaling 58 blocks (eight solo, 50 assists).
Limestone (15-6, 4-2 IVA) has an event-filled weekend, hosting LMU for Parent's Weekend and TU for Senior Day. The Saints were listed eighth in this week's Off the Block Division II coaches poll, holding steady from the previous listing. The Pioneers were blanked by the visiting Saints in mid-February. Geraldo Rivera has a team-high 249 kills, just under four per set. Veit Bils (165), James Chretien (137), and Albert Warzocha (113) follow Rivera in the offensive column. Paul Stommel has 785 assists thus far, an average of 9.94 per frame, and also has the most aces (29) for the Saints. Rivera leads the back row defense with 92 digs, while Bils dominates the front with 83 total blocks (12 solo, 71 assists).
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.