GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University men's volleyball team returns to action against a pair of familiar IVA opponents in Queens and Alderson Broaddus on Tuesday (Apr. 6) and Friday (Apr. 9), respectively.
The Pioneers pushed the Royals to the limit in February, dropping a five-set decision, and won the previous meeting over the Battlers 3-1.
RECAPPING THE WEEK
Tusculum (2-10, 1-4 IVA) last played in the middle of March, losing to Belmont Abbey and Lincoln Memorial, but defeating Alderson Broaddus.
Caleb Slater and Hunter Walck recorded 20 kills each, while the former attacked on .351 rate. Dane Loup (17), Tom Kait (14), and Shaphar Grant (12) also reached double-figures. Lucas Blanco and Reese DeElena dished out the most assists with 53 and 25, respectively. Walck landed a team-high four service aces, followed by Slater and Loup with a pair. Three Pioneers collected double-digit digs: Blanco (18), Loup (13), and Walck (12). Blanco registered a career-high 11 digs in the win over AB in March. Grant influenced net play the most with six block assists.
In the national rankings, Tusculum is 13th in the NCAA in aces per set (1.39). Individually, Walck is ranked 20th in aces per set (.400).
LOOKING AHEAD
Queens (12-10, 4-1 IVA) is on the road for its final two matches before hosting the Independent Volleyball Association Championships in Curry Arena. The first stop is Tusculum on Tuesday. Tristan Santoyo is averaging over three kills per set for a total of 235. JP Payne's 158 kills have come on a scorching .438 rate. Brandon Grabow has been the primary setter with 509 assists, but Daniel Leitao has dished out 314 as well. Santoyo's 31 aces nearly double up the next Royal on the list. A pair of digs separate the top two in the column for Queens as Josh Bragg leads Santoyo 118-116. Payne's 61 total blocks (14 solo, 47 assists) are a team-best. The Royals are also within the top-10 in three statistical categories: digs per set, aces per set, and opponent hitting percentage.
Alderson Broaddus (5-6, 0-2 IVA) has won its last two matches, both against NAIA Carlow. The Pioneers and Battlers have already met this season with TU taking the match in four sets. Jaelin Gray (75), Gannon Chinen (74), and Andrew Nielsen (71) have the biggest offensive production for AB, while the latter is firing on a .329 clip. Che' Arbo has dished out 276 assists and is tied for second with seven aces. Loic Nanchen (8) and Nielsen (7) are also among the top three. Joe Mercado Samaniego is credited with 71 digs, while Nielsen heads up the net defense with 29 total blocks (17 solo, 12 assists).
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
At this time, no fans of visiting teams are permitted at any Tusculum University venue. The full TU athletic attendance policy can be found here.
