GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University women's volleyball team stays within state lines for a trio of matches this week. The Pioneers travel to King on Tuesday (Sept. 14) for the final non-conference contest of the season, while beginning a five-match homestand over the weekend with Newberry on Friday (Sept. 17) and Anderson on Saturday (Sept. 18).
RECAPPING THE WEEK
Tusculum (5-1, 2-0 SAC) upped its winning streak to five, the longest stretch since 2017, and is off to its best start in eight years. Danielle Marante's squad swept UVA Wise in Pioneer Arena and took down perennial powerhouse Wingate on its home court. The latter had won the previous 19 meetings against the Greeneville squad, dating back to 2012. In the latest national poll, the Bulldogs were receiving votes and, in August, they were picked to win the South Atlantic Conference for the 16th straight season.
Carli Pigza had an outstanding performance in the second match, notching a career-high 15 kills on a .343 hitting percentage. For the week, the right side hitter collected 24 kills on a .373 clip. Raeley Matthews (15), Emiah Burrowes (14), and Peyton Gash (10) all reached double-figures in kills, while Emma Johnson (9) was on the cusp.
Elise Carmichael dished out the bulk of the Pioneers' assists with 41. Madison Adkins (15) and Catherine Clingan (11) also spent time as the setter. Carmichael continued her tear behind the service line, collecting seven more aces to raise her season total to 25. Carly Sosnowski (5), Burrowes (5), Johnson (1), and Kyndall Kalb (1) rounded out the category.
Defensively, Sosnowski averaged exactly four digs per set, totaling 32, while Matthews recorded 18. At the net, Raven Chance had her hands in seven blocks (two solo, five assists) and Pigza is credited with five block assists. Johnson and Bailey Parker each notched four total blocks as well.
Across Division II, Carmichael's aces per set ratio of 1.25 is third nationally and her grand total is second. The Pioneers, as a team, are within the top-50 in win-loss percentage (40th; 0.833) and aces per set (45th; 2.08).
In SAC rankings, TU leads the league in aces (50) and is second in both aces per set and win-loss percentage. The Pioneers sit third in assists (280), attacks per set (36.5), kills (295), and attacks (876).
LOOKING AHEAD
King (2-2) starts its busy week against Tusculum before taking part in a weekend tournament. The Tornado hosted a five-team invitation in which they went 1-2, defeating Emory & Henry in five sets. Julie Ward has only played in half of King's matches, but leads the team with 40 kills. Hailee Blankenship (37) and Abigale Jayne (33) are just behind in the offensive category. Georgia Davis and Katie Harless have shared the setting duties, handing out 76 and 61 assists, respectively. Hannah Rogers and Blankenship have been the most effective behind the service line, landing a combined 13 aces. Three Tornado have surpassed the 40-dig plateau: Davis (47), Harless (44), and Claire Wilson (43). At the net, Brittney Ramsey is averaging over a block per set for a total of 19 (seven solo, 12 assists).
Newberry (4-2, 0-0 SAC) had a successful Rollins Tournament, collecting three wins in four matches. The trip to Greeneville will serve as the Wolves' SAC opener after stepping out of conference for a Tuesday (Sept. 14) match against Erskine. Natasha Bannister has played in every set to lead the team with 65 kills, while Avery Webb has run the offense with 220 assists (10.48 per set). SAC Defensive Player of the Week Amanda Berecz's 15 aces nearly doubles the closest teammate. Defensively, Berecz is averaging nearly six digs per set for a total of 122. With 25 total blocks (five solo, 20 assists), Zoe Dinkins has made her biggest impact in the front row.
Anderson (5-3, 0-0 SAC) has been involved in a pair of out-of-state tournaments to open the season and will continue its lengthy road trip at UVA Wise on Friday (Sept. 17) and TU on Saturday (Sept. 18). SAC Offensive Player of the Week Regan Duty is hitting .309 to rack up 88 kills, followed by three other Trojans in the 70s: Maya Learmonth (79), Sadie Kluner (75), and Noelle Knutsen (75). Madison Roy has dished out 342 assists, a shade over 11 per set. Hannah Neff and Roy are the lone pair to reach double-digit aces with 14 and 11, respectively. Meghan DeVaux heads up the back row with 98 digs, followed by 90 from Alexandra Petrilli. Knutsen is credited with 27 total blocks (four solo, 23 assists), while Duty has amassed 23 block assists.
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
For indoor events at King, all spectators will be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, and will be expected to adhere to social distancing guidelines with other spectators who do not reside in the same household.
At Tusculum, face coverings are required indoors for all individuals when physical distancing cannot be guaranteed, even those who are protected. For volleyball in particular, visiting fans will not be allowed. However, a pass list will be made for the visiting team, which allows two family members per student-athlete.
