THE BASICS: SIUE volleyball continues its 2023 at First Community Arena, welcoming Tennesseee State for a pair of matches. The Cougars (10-11, 4-6 OVC) will face the Tigers (2-18, 2-8 OVC)Â on Friday at 6:00 p.m. before closing the weekend at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
LAST TIME OUT: Despite winning the first set in both matches, SIUE dropped a pair on the road at UT Martin last weekend. Priscilla Jones led the Cougars' attack with a combined 24 kills, averaging 2.67 per set. She also led SIUE with 10 blocks.
THE SERIES: Friday marks the 16th meeting between the Cougars and Tigers dating back to 2010. Tennessee State owns an 8-7 advantage in the series and have taken three of the last four contests.
BLOCK PARTY: The Cougars lead the Ohio Valley Conference and rank 35th in the NCAA with 204 total blocks. SIUE has picked up double-digit total blocks in 12 matches, including a season-high 15 vs. SEMO on Sep. 30. Priscilla Jones leads SIUE with 91, good for second in the league. Chelsey Abel's 0.97 blocks per set ranks 10th.
200 KILL CLUB: Two Cougars have registered over 100 kills this season: Sydney Hummert (222) and Priscilla Jones (221). Julia Treichel (147), Chelsey Abel (118), and Bree Schreimann (113) have recorded over 100 kills. Hummert's 2.67 kills per set leads the team and ranks 12th in the conference.
DIG IT: Freshman Abi Banitt's 304 digs this season ranks sixth in the conference. She has collected 10 or more in 19 of SIUE's 21 contests. Hummert (212), Treichel (177), and Drifka (203) are the only other Cougars to tally 100 or more digs this season. SIUE ranks fifth in the OVC and 63rd in the country with 1,282 total digs.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TROUBLE: Hummert has tallied double-doubles in five of SIUE's last six contests, dating back to Sep. 30 vs. Southeast Missouri. The junior has 10 double-doubles. Drifka leads the Cougars with 12 this season.
AT CENTER COURT: Drifka leads SIUE and ranks ninth in the OVC with 437 assists. Corinna Jones and Grace Beekman have dished out assists this season with 225 and 192, respectively. SIUE ranks third in the OVC with 996 assists, good for 72nd in the nation.
FOLLOW THE ACTION: Stay connected with the Cougars all season long by following @SIUEVolleyball on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
