Volleyball Visits LSU and Georgia this Weekend
11/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 6, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The volleyball team (12-10, 5-8 SEC) hits the road for the final two matches of its two-week road trip when it travels to LSU (12-9, 7-7 SEC) and Georgia (14-11, 7-7 SEC). The Crimson Tide will meet up with the Tigers Friday, Nov. 7 at 7:00 p.m. (CST) and will then head to Athens, Ga. for a showdown with the Bulldogs Sunday, Nov. 9 at 12:30 p.m. (CST).
"This is a pretty exciting weekend in Baton Rouge for the Tide (with volleyball, swimming and diving and football all in town)," said Head Coach Judy Green. "For our team, the focus is going to be on being more efficient offensively. We also want to put forth a great serving effort. LSU has been really good at home, especially on Friday nights. In order to win we are definitely going to have to minimize unforced errors."
Last time the two teams met, the Tigers took the match win 3-2 by scores of 25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 20-25, 15-13. Currently, the Tigers sit atop the SEC West with a record of 7-7 against league opponents. LSU is led on offense by Kyna Washington with 2.94 kills per set and Sam Dabbs with 9.05 assists per frame. On defense, the Tigers are anchored by Brittnee Cooper, who averages 1.27 blocks per set and Elena Martinez who contributes 4.68 digs per frame. Last time out, LSU dropped two matches losing in four sets to Kentucky before falling in three sets to Tennessee on Sunday.
Alabama also looks to seek revenge on the Bulldogs with Georgia having taken the 3-0 match win earlier in the season in Tuscaloosa. The Bulldogs are currently No. 5 in a stacked SEC East division with a league record of 7-7. Maria Taylor tops all Georgia hitters with 3.65 kills per set, while Kathleen Gates leads Georgia with 9.71 assists per frame. On defense, Erika Clark anchors the back row with 3.25 digs per set. Last times out, the Bulldogs went 0-2 falling 3-0 at Tennessee and 3-1 at then-No. 21 Kentucky.
"Georgia is another team that has been good at home," added Green. "This is going to be a tough weekend for us. We definitely need to compete better against Georgia this time around. With this week of practice we've just had we are going to be ready to do just that."
Alabama returns to its home court Friday, Nov. 14 when the Tide hosts Ole Miss at 7:30 p.m. The volleyball match will be the backend of a women's double-header being started by the basketball team at 6:00 p.m. (CST).
