Sept. 22, 2012

LIVE BLOG

#21 UT (8-4, 1-2) vs. SOUTH CAROLINA (13-1, 2-1)

Sept. 23, 2012 | 1:00 p.m. ET

Thompson-Boling | Knoxville, Tenn.

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THE SOUTH CAROLINA MATCH

Sunday afternoon's match against the Gamecocks marks the 59th meeting between the two programs. South Carolina is currently the Lady Vols third-most played opponent behind SEC rivals Kentucky (69) and Georgia (65).
Tennessee currently leads the all-time series by a 33-25 margin and has won seven straight entering the matchup.
The Big Orange's last loss to the Gamecocks came at South Carolina on Oct. 10, 2008.
It will be the 28th meeting in Knoxville, with UT currently holding an 18-9 advantage at home. The Lady Vols last loss at home to the Garnet and Black came nearly 10 years ago on Nov. 8, 2002. UT lost 3-1 to the then-No. 18 Gamecocks in that matchup.

After losing his first eight meetings, Coach Rob Patrick now holds a career record of 16-15 against SC.
UT 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.
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 GAMECOCKS

Following Friday night's four set loss at Auburn, the Gamecocks are 13-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC, marking the best start in the program's NCAA-era history. Prior to Friday, SC was one of seven unbeaten teams still remaining this season.
It was the second longest winning streak in program history.
South Carolina ranks second in the SEC in hitting percentage (.311), kills per set (14.53) and assists per frame (13.56).
Sophomore Cara Howley leads the squad with a .372 attacking clip, while junior hitter Juliette Thevenin, the SEC Offensive Player of the Week, has 184 kills and hits .325. Howley ranks fifth in the league in hitting percentage. Thevenin's 4.28 kills per set and 4.64 points per game rank third in the SEC.
Since 1991, the Gamecocks are 8-92 against ranked opponents.
Scott Swanson is in his second year at the helm of South Carolina volleyball after coaching four season at UTEP. He has a career head coaching record of 77-78.