Sept. 14, 2012

#17 TENNESSEE (7-3, 0-1) at ALABAMA (12-1, 1-0)

Sept. 16, 2012 | 2:30 p.m. ET

Foster Auditorium | Tuscaloosa, Ala.

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THE ALABAMA MATCH

Sunday afternoon's match in Tuscaloosa represents the 44th meeting between the Lady Vols and Crimson Tide.
Tennessee currently leads the series by a 31-12 margin and has won eight consecutive matches against Alabama, tying UT's longest winning streak in the series. The Lady Vols won eight straight matches from 1981-1993.
Six of the eight straight wins have been in three sets, including the five most recent matches.
UT's last loss against the Tide came in straight sets on the road on Oct. 21, 2007.
It will be the 20th meeting in Tuscaloosa, with UT currently holding a 12-7 advantage at Alabama.

Head Coach Rob Patrick holds a career record of 18-7 against the Crimson Tide.
Tennessee finished the 2011 campaign with a 19-1 record in the SEC, winning its first outright league title in program history. With all starters returning, including the defending SEC Player and Freshman of the Year, UT was voted by the league's coaches to unanimously repeat as conference champions in 2012.
The Lady Vols are seeking back-to-back SEC Championships, which they accomplished in 1981-82, and their seventh combined league title. In addition to 1981-82 and last season, UT won the 1984 and 2004 championship. The Orange & White also took home the 2004 SEC Tournament Title.

SCOUTING THE CRIMSON TIDE

The Alabama Crimson Tide shutout defending Western Division champion LSU,25-12, 25-22, 25-16, on Friday night in its SEC opener, extending its winning streak to 11 matches.
The Tide posted an 11-1 record through non-conference play. The Tide's lone loss came in five sets against Northeastern on Aug. 24.
'Bama has shutout nine of its 13 opponents this season and has only played the one five-frame match.
Alabama's serving has been outstanding this season, averaging 1.5 aces per set, a mark that ranks 51st in the nation as of Sept. 9. The squad also ranks 30th in hitting percentage (.275), 37th in kills per set (14.10) and 41st in assists per game (13.0) in the country.
The Crimson Tide has a freshman duo that have led the way all season. Setter Sierra Wilson averages 11.66 assists per set to lead the SEC, while ranking 14th in the country. Classmate Kryssi Daniels, a defensive specialist, is averaging 0.57 aces per set and has 25 aces on the season to lead the Tide. She leads the SEC and ranks 12th in the nation in aces.
On the outside, sophomore Pricilla Duke-Ezeji boasts a 3.72 kills per set average and 119 total kills on the season. A transfer from UCLA, she currently ranks eighth in the SEC in points per set (3.97). 'Bama has a total of three players that rank in the top 20 of the SEC in points per game. Kayla Fitterer (3.88 Pts./Set) and Andrea McQuaid (3.43 Pts./Set) rank 14th and 17th, respectively.
Having already exceeded its win total from a season ago, Alabama finished the 2011 season with a 4-16 record in the SEC and an 11-20 mark overall. UA was 7-7 at home last season.
Ed Allen is in his second year with the Crimson Tide and has an overall record of 23-21.