University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLLEYBALL CENTRAL: LSU/Texas A&M
October 29, 2015 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Volunteers have another home volleyball weekend at Thompson-Boling Arena, hosting LSU on Friday and Texas A&M on Sunday.
The match against LSU begins at 7 p.m., and the Texas A&M match begins at 1:30 p.m. Doors open an hour before match time. Both matches will be streamed on the WatchESPN App and ESPN3.com as part of the SEC Network+.
The Vols (19-6, 5-5 SEC) are coming off a split weekend in the Magnolia State, losing to Ole Miss 3-1 before rebounding for a two sets to none 3-2 comeback at Mississippi State. Senior setter Lexi Dempsey and sophomore right side hitter Kanisha Jimenez scored double-doubles in the rally.
LSU (9-11, 5-4) is coming off a 3-2 home victory over Auburn. Friday's match against the Tigers will be the Vols' first rematch of conference play. LSU defeated the Vols 3-1 at Baton Rouge on Oct. 7.
Texas A&M (13-6, 6-2) has not been in action since a 3-0 win against LSU on Oct. 21.
THE SERIES
Vs. LSUSeries: LSU leads 37-21
Last 10: Tied 5-5
Current Streak: LSU W4
Last Match: UT lost 3-1 at LSU earlier this season. Bri Holmes had 22 kills and Kanisha Jimenez had her fifth double-double of the season (16 kills, 12 digs).
Vs. TEXAS A&M
Series: UT leads 7-5
Last 10: Series tied 5-5
Current Streak: A&M W3
Last Match: The teams faced twice last year with Texas A&M winning both 3-0, most recently at A&M. Jimenez led with 8 kills and 12 digs.
BY THE NUMBERS
2: Kills away from 200 for Erica Treiber, which would give Tennessee three players with 200+ kills (Kanisha Jimenez - 263; Bri Holmes - 249).
13: Tennessee is 13-0 in matches when winning the third set. That figure includes last week's 3-2 comeback at Mississippi State after losing the first two sets.
8: Times this season Bridgette Villano has at least 20 digs in a match, including four times in SEC play.
DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING
The Vols have out-dug 18 of 25 opponents this year, averaging 15.54 digs per set as a team, which ranks third in the SEC.The loss at LSU (10/7) was the first time this season the Vols have lost when out-digging an opponent (out-dug the Tigers 64-51). Tennessee started the year 15-0 when getting more digs (now 17-1).
With good defense -- Tennessee has also averaged 2.24 blocks/set -- the Vols have kept opponents at a combined hitting percentage of .160, which is second in the SEC. The Vols have held opponents to below .100 hitting percentage in eight matches.
