Volleyball Back on the Road This Weekend
10/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TUSCALOOSA ?? The University of Alabama volleyball team returns to the road this weekend with a pair of matches against the two Southeastern Conference schools from the state of Mississippi. The Tide faces Ole Miss in Oxford on Friday, Oct. 20 and Mississippi State on Sunday, Oct. 22.
Alabama (13-6, 8-2) enters the weekend looking to extend a six-match win streak in SEC play that includes two wins over ranked teams, including victories over No. 18 Tennessee and tenth-ranked LSU. This weekend’s matches mark the Tide’s first on the road since an Oct. 1 victory at South Carolina.
The contests with the Rebels and the Bulldogs also mark the beginning of the second half of league play. The Tide beat both teams from the Magnolia State in the opening weekend of SEC action in Tuscaloosa. Alabama was swept by Auburn and Florida the following weekend, but has not lost a match since.
“We are excited to be starting the second half of SEC play,” Tide head coach Judy Green said. “We feel good about our team and where we are, but we know we will have to prove ourselves more and more each weekend. Consistency is the key for us, as well as the determination to improve our team play.”
Ole Miss (12-9, 4-7) has been an improved team from a year ago, with wins against Kentucky, Arkansas, Georgia and Auburn to its credit in 2006. The Rebels have been losers in three of its last four, however, including a loss in its most recent outing on Wednesday night against Mississippi State at home.
Katie Kramer averages over four kills per game for Ole Miss, while Jaclyn Toohey is posting 3.78 kills per game on the year. Rachel Kieckhaefer averages over 12 assists per game and Tara Langley averages 3.48 digs per outing.
The Tide handed the Rebels a 3-2 loss in the CAVE on Sept. 17 in the first meeting between the two schools this season. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. for the rematch.
“Ole Miss is one of the most improved teams in the SEC and they understand the significance of having a shot at us in their gym,” Green said. “We have to bring our ??A’ game against them to have a chance to win.”
The Bulldogs (13-8, 4-7) have won three of their last four matches, including the completion of a season sweep over instate rival Ole Miss with a 3-1 victory over the Rebels on Wednesday night in Oxford.
Orshi Kriegel and Cristina Jucan are MSU’s leaders in kills, averaging 3.71 and 3.62 per game, respectively. Setter Eva Kriegel averages 11.00 assists per game, while Megan Lukasek is digging 3.77 balls per game this season.
Mississippi State is a solid serving unit, averaging 2.08 service aces per game. They have also been an efficient team and are hitting .266 for the season, but have not been a strong blocking squad with just 1.69 blocks per game this year.
Alabama beat MSU, 3-1, in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 15. The rematch is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday in Starkville.
“Mississippi State appears to be playing their best volleyball of the season after beating Ole Miss last night,” Green said. “Their offense has been producing big numbers in the last two matches, so we will have to continue to play well.”
The Tide returns to its home floor for the weekend of Oct. 27, which coincides with Homecoming Week at UA. Auburn travels to Tuscaloosa for a match on the 27th and the Tide welcomes perennial SEC power Florida into the CAVE on Sunday, Oct. 29.
