THE BASICS: SIUE ranked 8th in the OVC take on the Golden Eagles ranked 6th in the OVC while the Cougars are 7th. The Cougars are 6-10 in the all-time series. During the 2023 season the Cougars won both games 3-1. When away SIUE is 1-6.
OVCIT:
Taya Nordmann is the first player to receive OVC player of the week honors this season. Nordmann was named defensive player of the week Nov. 4. Nordmann tallied 10 kills three service aces and 21 blocks in 10 sets. She had a stand out performance against USI in game two with 14 total blocks, a new single-game high for the season.
RANKING: As a team the Cougars are ranked 41st nationally for blocks per set (10.97) and 7th in team total block (256); they also lead the OVC in both categories. Normann ranks 75th nationally in blocks per set (1.21) and 27th in total blocks (115),
Nicole Medlin follows in total blocks at 79th (92). Anilsley Ranstead ranks 54th in services aces (37) and is second in the OVC.
TEAM LEADERS:
Sydney Hummert leads the team in kills (237), averaging 2.86 per set, and points (285.5), averaging 3.44 per set. Medlin leads the team attack percentage at .326.
Alyse Drifka leads the team in assists with an average of 5.05 per set (510 assists). Ranstead leads in service aces (37) averaging .37 a set.
SHE'S A FRESHMAN: Three new 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).
PLAYER TO WATCH: Drifka is 73 digs away from her 1,000th career dig.
CAREER BEST: Hummert recorded her 1,000th career kill Sept. 28.Hummert is the first player since Kirsten Torre (2015,1,256 kills) to surpass 1,000th career kills. She also received her 1,000th career dig Nov.2 against USI. Drifka recorded her 2,000th career assists Oct. 12, passing her original record (1659).
Corinna Jones reached her 2,000th career assists Oct.29.
PRESEASON HONORS: Hummert earned preseason OVC honors Aug. 16 following her 2023 season she led the Cougars with 315 kills, and her 2.76 kills per set also led SIUE while ranking 9th in the conference. She added 300 digs and 35 service aces, while recording 66 total blocks. Hummert locked away 793 total digs last season surpassing the 500 career marker.
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