University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLLEYBALL CENTRAL: Georgia
November 24, 2015 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee volleyball team closes out the regular season this week, hosting Auburn on Wednesday and Georgia on Friday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Wednesday's match against Auburn. begins at 9 p.m. Eastern. It is fan appreciation night at the arena with free admission to all in attendance. The match will also be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.
The Georgia match is Senior Day and will begin at 7 p.m. The team will honor setter Lexi Dempsey and defensive specialist Megan Hatcher.
The Vols (20-11, 6-10 SEC) are facing Auburn (17-11, 9-7) for the first time since the SEC opener on the road, a 3-1 win for the Tigers. Tennessee beat Georgia (5-23, 0-16) on Sept. 27.
For some news and notes:
INSIDE THE SERIES
VS. AUBURN
Series: UT leads 29-17-1
Last 10: UT leads 5-5
Current Streak: AU W4
Last Match: AU won 3-1 on 9/25. Lexi Dempsey (36 assists, 12 digs) and Kanisha Jimenez (10 kills, 16 digs) recorded double-doubles.
VS. GEORGIA
Series: UT leads 43-27
Last 10: UT leads 6-4
Current Streak: UT W1
Last Match: The Vols swept UGA 3-0 on 9/27. Lexi Dempsey had 31 assists and 14 digs. Erica Treiber posted 10 blocks.
SENIOR DUO
This week marks the final two matches for UT seniors Lexi Dempsey and Megan Hatcher.
A three-year starter at setter, Dempsey has 1,120 assists this season, the third most assists in a season in the rally scoring era
Dempsey, a native of Palm Springs, Calif., helped lead the offensive improvement this season -- averaging 10.18 assists/set, after averaging less than nine her first two seasons.
Hatcher, a DS from Knoxville, Tenn., has been a regular in the rotation the last three years and has started 16 matches.
The two helped lead the Vols' offseason training during the summer. The team has turned around its fortunes this season. After winning 17 matches combined the last two years, the Vols have 20 wins this season. It is the 22nd 20-win season in program history and the 11th in the Rob Patrick era.
SEC RANKINGS
Tennessee ranks third in the SEC in opponent hitting percentage (.182) and third in digs (15.34).Erica Treiber is sixth in the SEC in blocks (1.14 B/Set) and 10th in hit percentage (.347).
Lexi Dempsey is eighth in assists per set (10.18) and fourth in the SEC in double-doubles (13).
