GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University men's volleyball team hosts a first-year Fort Valley State program on Friday (Feb. 18) at 6 p.m. before going south to Emmanuel on Tuesday (Feb. 22) for a 6 p.m. start.
RECAPPING THE WEEK
Tusculum (1-7) was swept in a pair of home Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) matches against Limestone and Queens.
On the season, Jake Whyte has collected 79 kills, nearly three per set. He is followed by Dane Loup (53), Colby Landry (44), Shaphar Grant (36), and Deklan Wingo (26). Shaun Kampshoff and Reese DeElena round out the offensive column with 15 and three kills, respectively. Kampshoff has dished out 214 assists, at a nearly eight per frame rate, and landed 17 service aces. Loup leads the lineup with 38 digs, just ahead of Kampshoff's 34 and Landry's 33. The libero trio of Taylor West (27), Ross Miller (17), and Arthur Della Nina (12) have combined for 56 digs in the back row. At the net, Grant heads up the defense with 20 total blocks (six solo, 14 assists), edging out Wingo's 17 (three solo, 14 assists).
Nationally, Tusculum ranks 18th in opponent hitting percentage at ,217, while Kampshoff is seventh individually in aces per set (.607) and Whyte is 18th in attacks per set (7.89).
LOOKING AHEAD
Fort Valley State (1-5) is in its first year as a program. The Wildcats have only played twice this month, both at the University of Charleston last weekend. FVSU's lone win came against a fellow inaugural team in Benedict. Fort Valley State is led by 40 kills from Oshane Farquharson, while Justin Yates has been entrusted with the setting duties, totaling 122 assists. Jaxson Hicks has landed nearly half of the Wildcats' 11 aces with five. Jamil Scott is just behind with three. Jae Henderson has scooped up 28 digs, followed by 22 from Yates. Fort Valley State has three players with seven total blocks apiece: Hicks, Jordan Brown, and Farquharson.
Emmanuel (4-4) will take on a pair of first-year teams before Tusculum comes to town on Tuesday. The Lions will host Edward Waters and travel to FVSU over the weekend. Eli Zdonek will pick up his 100th kill of the season against the new foes as he currently sits at 99. Henrik Westhoff has dished out 305 assists, nearly nine per frame. Gustavo Cavalcanti has notched 13 aces to lead the Lions. Nicklas Eichenberger is averaging 2.71 digs per set to total 92 across 34 sets. Daniel Beacham is credited with 27 total blocks (two solo, 25 assists).
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Tusculum is mandating all spectators to wear masks and/or face coverings during indoor events. Seating capacity is limited to 50%.
