EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - The Cougars (8-13, OVC 3-7) are 19-10 in the all-time series against USI (8-14, OVC 3-7). In their last meeting, USI took the first game 3-1, while the Cougars took the second match 3-2.
RANKING: As a team the Cougars are ranked 67th nationally for blocks per set (2.39) and 18th in team total block (220); they also lead the OVC in both categories. Freshman Taya Normann ranks 61st nationally in total blocks (95),
Nicole Medlin follows in total blocks at 79th (92). Ranstead ranks 32nd in services aces (37) and leads the OVC, being only 21 aces behind the national leader.
TEAM LEADERS:
Sydney Hummert leads the team in kills (211), averaging 2.85 per set, and points (252), averaging 3.41 per set.
Nicole Medlin leads the team in attack percentage at .329.
Alyse Drifka leads the team in assists with an average of 5.12 per set (471 assists), and service aces (37) averaging .41 a set.
Olivia Hogan leads the team in digs this season (179), averaging 2.84 a set.
CAREER BEST: Hummert recorded her 1,000th career kill September 28. Hummert is the first player since Kirsten Torre (2015,1,256 kills) to surpass 1,000 career kills. Drifka recorded her 2,000th career assists October 12, passing her original record (1659).
Corinna Jones reached her 2,000th Career stasis October 29.
DOUBLE TROUBLE: This season there have been 23 total double-doubles.
Alyse Drifka leads with nine.
Sydney Hummert has eight, Ainsley Ranstad has three, Cornina Jones has two, and
Sophie Robinson had her first against Morehead State Oct. 26.
SHE'S A FRESHMAN: Three freshman saw the court in game two against Morehead State, bringing the energy and changing the game. Robinson led with 17 kills (a single-game high) hit at a .333 clip, and 12 digs.
Claire Jones stepped in as Libero having four assists, four service aces (single-game high) and 13 digs.
Elise Paul had nine kills at a .192 clip and had five block assists and one solo block leading the team with six (single-game high).
AT THE HELM: Head Coach
Kendall Paulus is in her 14th season with the Cougars and her eighth as head coach, with a career record of 94-115. Against conference opponents, she owns a 61-65 record.
PRESEASON HONORS: Hummert earned preseason OVC honors following her 2023 season, she led the Cougars with 315 kills, and 2.76 kills per set ranking 9th in the conference. She added 35 service aces, while recording 66 total blocks. Hummert locked away 793 total digs last season surpassing the 500 career marker.
