GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University women's volleyball team is set to begin its last four-match homestand of the fall, beginning with Catawba and Queens over the upcoming weekend (Oct. 8-9). The Pioneers have retaken the lead in the South Atlantic Conference standings, while the Indians and Royals are in the middle of the pack.
RECAPPING THE WEEK
Tusculum (11-2, 7-1 SAC) lost its first conference match of the season, courtesy of a Lenoir-Rhyne sweep, but rebounded with a five-set thriller at Mars Hill.
Multiple Pioneers recorded career-highs against the Lions. Emiah Burrowes (23), Carli Pigza (15), Bailey Parker (10), and Katie McLamb (6) had personal-bests in the kill column, while Lydia Collins (6) tied her best effort from 2018. Elise Carmichael tied her collegiate-high 37 assists and, in just her second appearance at the college level, McLamb scooped up 18 digs.
For the weekend, Burrowes led the way with 29 kills, just ahead of Pigza's 23. Parker notched 15 kills on a .367 hitting percentage. Carmichael and Catherine Clingan were the primary setters, collecting 50 and 29 assists, respectively. Carmichael also headed up the serving column with a trio of aces, while Carly Sosnowski, Abbie Holt, and Clingan rounded out the category.
Defensively, Sosnowski averaged nearly five digs per set for a total of 39. McLamb (21), Burrowes (18), and Carmichael (12) also reached double-figures in digs. Pigza was a part of six blocks (two solo, four assists), followed by four assists from Collins.
Carmichael leads Division II in aces with 41 and ranks second in aces per set (0.87). Sosnowski has moved into the top-50 in digs per set (48th; 4.94). As a team, the Pioneers sit within the top-50 in win-loss percentage (24th; 0.846), aces per set (25th; 2.10), opponent hitting percentage (33rd; 0.134), and total aces (38th; 107).
Across the SAC, TU leads the league in win-loss percentage. The Pioneers are second in aces per set and aces, while sitting in third in assists per set (11.61) and kills per set (12.22).
LOOKING AHEAD
Catawba (7-5, 4-2 SAC) opens up the week in Greeneville before traveling to UVA Wise on Saturday. The Indians have not played since the end of September when they beat Queens in five sets. Allison Bryant leads the offense with 128 kills, while Ashley Johnson is just shy of the triple-digit plateau with 99. Johnson fires on a .329 clip as well. Payton Medich and Dara Kane have amassed the most assists with 231 and 172, respectively. Four Indians have double-digit aces: Kane (13), Kylie Morgan (12), Bryant (10), and Morgan Childress (10). Defensively, Gabriella Kuzma heads up the dig category with 87, followed by Bryant's 85, and Morgan's 80. At the net, Johnson has been a part of 36 blocks, with Jordan Gore just behind with 28.
Queens (8-6, 3-2 SAC) swept Georgia College on Tuesday (Oct. 5) afternoon in a non-conference match and will hit the road for the UVA Wise-Tusculum weekend. Lindsay Elmore has totaled 101 kills through all 14 contests, while Grace Giunta's 99 kills have come through 12 matches. Brooke Farley has dished out 481 assists on a 9.08 per set rate. Elmore also has a team-high 23 aces, followed by Farley's 17. Three Royals have surpassed the 100-dig level: Loren Johnson (194), Farley (140), and Jesse George (118). The front row defense is fueled by 55 total blocks by Kayla McDuffie with Elmore in second with 45.
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
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.
