University of Tennessee Athletics
University of Tennessee
Purdue Fort Wayne
Volleyball Preview: Stacey Clark Classic
September 16, 2021 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 22nd-ranked Tennessee volleyball team heads out on the road for its final non-conference weekend of the season, traveling north to West Lafayette, Indiana, for the Stacey Clark Classic, hosted by Purdue.
The Lady Vols face Purdue Fort Wayne and Jacksonville State on Friday, Sept. 17, before closing out the tournament on Saturday, Sept. 18 against No. 9 Purdue. First serve versus PFW and Jacksonville State is slated for 12:30 p.m. ET and 5 p.m., while UT plays Purdue at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
BROADCAST INFO
Fans can stream all three of UT's matches on Big Ten Network+. Streaming links can be found by visiting UTsports.com and the volleyball schedule page. Live stat links can also be found on the volleyball schedule page.
ANOTHER TOP-10 OPPONENT
For the third time this season, Tennessee will showdown against a top-10 ranked opponent as Purdue enters the weekend ranked ninth nationally. Saturday's match will be UT's second against the ninth-ranked team in the country this season after playing then No. 9 Baylor on Sept. 3.
The Lady Vols defeated No. 9 Baylor in five sets. UT also faced then No. 7 Pittsburgh on Sept. 5, falling to the Panthers in five.
MOVING UP
Tennessee went 2-0 last weekend, sweeping Morehead State in a home-and-home series. With the result, UT improved to 6-1 on the year and moved up to No. 22 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Top-25 poll.
LEADING THE SEC
The Lady Vols lead the Southeastern Conference in kills per set and blocks per set through the first three weekends of the season. UT averages 14.40 kills per set and 2.92 blocks per set. Both marks rank among the best in the nation, with UT eighth in kills and 14th in blocks.
SCHEDULING TOUGH
Head coach Eve Rackham Watt has not shied away from scheduling premier competition. Tennessee's strength of schedule is the hardest in the SEC and the 22nd toughest in the nation. The Lady Vols' past opponents have a combined record of 31-17, while its upcoming opponents have a 116-56 combined mark.
WINDICATORS
Tennessee is 4-0 this season when it hit .250 or better, and during Rackham Watt's three seasons on Rocky Top, UT is 40-3 when it reaches the .250 or better mark. Under Rackham Watt, the Lady Vols are 44-5 when they win the second set.
SCOUTING PURDUE FORT WAYNE
2021 Record: 2-8 Overall
Series Record: First meeting
Last Meeting: N/A
Key Player/Stat: Friday will mark the first meeting between Tennessee and Purdue Fort Wayne. The Mastodons are the only team on UT's 2021 schedule it has not faced before. PFW has dropped three of its last four matches, including a 3-0 loss to Toledo on Sept. 14.
SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE STATE
2021 Record: 9-1 Overall
Series Record: UT leads, 2-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 21, 2013 – A five-set win for JSU.
Key Player/Stat: JSU enters the Stacey Clark Classic on a roll as winners of its last five matches. The Gamecocks' only defeat this season came at the hands of Wyoming in straight-sets in the Charleston Southern Tournament.
SCOUTING NO. 9 PURDUE
2021 Record: 5-1 Overall
Series Record: Purdue leads, 6-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 17, 2005 – A three-set win for the Boilermakers.
Key Player/Stat: Purdue has faced a pair of ranked opponents already this season, defeating No. 25 Washington State in straight-sets, before falling to No. 10 Louisville in three. Purdue's offense has been strong to begin the season as it ranks seventh nationally in hitting percentage at .309. Conversely, Purdue is allowing opponents to hit .219 against them, which ranks 222nd in the nation.
UP NEXT
Tennessee returns home to play host to Arkansas as the Lady Vols begin conference play on Sept. 25 and 26.
