University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLLEYBALL CENTRAL: @ Auburn/Georgia
September 24, 2015 | Volleyball
The Tennessee volleyball team opens SEC play this weekend on the road at Auburn on Friday and Georgia on Sunday.
Friday's match at Auburn (8-4) begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time. First serve for Sunday's Georgia (5-7) match is 1:30 p.m.; it will be streamed live on the WatchESPN app and ESPN3.com as an SEC Network+ event.
The Vols (14-1) wrapped up non-conference play last week after going 2-1 at the NC State DoubleTree Classic in Raleigh, N.C. Senior Lexi Dempsey and junior Raina Hembry were named to the all-tournament team. The 14-0 start to the year was the best for UT in the NCAA era. The team beat Hampton and Campbell 3-0 before losing to host NC State.
For some news and notes:
SEC OPENER
This week is the start of SEC play. The Vols will play 18 matches, 9 at home and 9 on the road. Tennessee went 1-17 in conference play last year.
Rob Patrick is 180-129 in SEC play at Tennessee. He led the team to conference titles in 2004 and 2011.
Tennessee currently ranks 2nd in the SEC and 7th nationally in opposing team hitting percentage (.123). The Vols are also 2nd in the SEC in digs/set (16.34)
During non-conference play, UT went 1-1 against teams that have wins vs. SEC teams this year (W, Charleston; L, NC State)
THE SERIES
VS. AUBURN
Series: UT leads 29-16-1
Last 10: UT leads 6-4
Current Streak: AU W3
Last Match: AU won 3-1 at Auburn in 2014.
Another Note: This is the third consecutive meeting that has been played at Auburn.
VS. GEORGIA
Series: UT leads 42-27
Last 10: UT leads 6-4
Current Streak: UGA W3
Last Match: UGA won 3-0 at Georgia in 2014.
CAN YOU DIG IT? (YES.)
The Vols have out-dug 13 of their first 15 opponents, averaging 17.2 digs per set as a team while opponents have been averaging 15.3.
Junior libero Bridgette Villano leads with 4.63 digs per set. She has four 20+ dig matches this season: 21 against Towson (5 sets), 20 against Eastern Kentucky (3 sets), career-high 27 against Wofford (4 sets), 21 vs. Charleston (4 sets). In addition to her duties as setter, Lexi Dempsey is second on the team with 2.67 digs/set.
With good defense -- Tennessee has also averaged 2.33 blocks/set -- the Vols have kept their first eight opponents at a combined hitting percentage of .123. That hitting percentage ranked seventh entering the week by the NCAA.
The Vols have held opponents to below .100 hitting percentage seven times.
Tennessee ranks second in the SEC in digs and in opponent hitting percentage.
