University of Tennessee Athletics
Friday, September 3
Knoxville
6:30 PM
University of Tennessee
vs
Baylor
Volleyball Preview – #9 Baylor
September 02, 2021 | Volleyball
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee volleyball hosts No. 9 Baylor Friday at Thompson-Boling Arena, marking the first of two top 10 opponents to pass through Rocky Top this weekend.
First serve Friday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
For fans planning to attend, note that Tennessee's clear-bag policy will be in effect again this season.
Though not required for entry to Thompson-Boling Arena or movement throughout the seating bowl, facial coverings are encouraged for arena patrons. For a full outline of match-day arena policies, click HERE.
BROADCAST INFO
Friday's match will be available to stream on SEC Network+ or through the ESPN App. Live stats are provided and can be found by visiting the volleyball schedule page on UTsports.com.
OPENING WEEKEND
Tennessee swept all of its matches on opening weekend, defeating Texas Tech, ETSU and NC State en route to the Tennessee Classic title. Since 2015, the Lady Vols are 25-0 in home tournaments.
Setter Natalie Hayward had a stellar weekend, totaling 108 assists over nine sets for an average of 12.00 assists per set. The Bothell, Washington, native was named tournament MVP for her performance and also picked up SEC Setter of the Week honors.
ATTACKING OPTIONS
In addition to Lily Felts and Morgahn Fingall, Tennessee added another lethal attacking option to its roster in graduate transfer Breana Runnels. In her first weekend as a Lady Vol, Runnels tallied 34 kills - tied for second-most on the team with Felts - averaged 3.78 kills/set and hit .311. The trio of attackers combined for 109 of Tennessee's 142 kills during the season's first weekend. All three players led Tennessee in kills between the three matches, with Runnels and Fingall tying with a team-high 17 kills against Texas Tech. Felts led in kills versus ETSU with 11 and Fingall posted a team-best 16 in the weekend finale against NC State.
SEC RANKINGS
Tennessee ranks in the top five in the SEC in five separate categories. UT is second in kills per set (15.78), assists per set (13.78) and digs per set (16.00). It is third in hitting percentage at .366 and fifth in blocks per set with a mark of 3.00.
WINDICATORS
Tennessee was 10-1 last season when it hit .250 or better, and during Eve Rackham Watt's three seasons on Rocky Top, UT is 39-3 when it reaches the .250 or better mark. Under Rackham Watt, the Lady Vols are 41-4 when they win the second set.
SCOUTING BAYLOR
2021 Record: 1-1 Overall
Series Record: Series tied, 1-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 14, 2019 – A three-set win for Baylor.
Key Player/Stat: Baylor opened the season with a 3-1 victory over then No. 7 Minnesota, before falling in four sets to second-ranked Wisconsin. Pressley Yossiana leads the Bears in kills per set average at 4.25. Both Marieke van der Mark and Lauren Harrison average 2.50 kills per set, the second-highest average on the team.
Hannah Sedwick leads Baylor in assists, averaging 8.50 per set.
UP NEXT
Tennessee welcomes No. 7 Pittsburgh to Knoxville Sunday for a 1 p.m. matinee at Thompson-Boling Arena.
First serve Friday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
For fans planning to attend, note that Tennessee's clear-bag policy will be in effect again this season.
Though not required for entry to Thompson-Boling Arena or movement throughout the seating bowl, facial coverings are encouraged for arena patrons. For a full outline of match-day arena policies, click HERE.
BROADCAST INFO
Friday's match will be available to stream on SEC Network+ or through the ESPN App. Live stats are provided and can be found by visiting the volleyball schedule page on UTsports.com.
OPENING WEEKEND
Tennessee swept all of its matches on opening weekend, defeating Texas Tech, ETSU and NC State en route to the Tennessee Classic title. Since 2015, the Lady Vols are 25-0 in home tournaments.
Setter Natalie Hayward had a stellar weekend, totaling 108 assists over nine sets for an average of 12.00 assists per set. The Bothell, Washington, native was named tournament MVP for her performance and also picked up SEC Setter of the Week honors.
ATTACKING OPTIONS
In addition to Lily Felts and Morgahn Fingall, Tennessee added another lethal attacking option to its roster in graduate transfer Breana Runnels. In her first weekend as a Lady Vol, Runnels tallied 34 kills - tied for second-most on the team with Felts - averaged 3.78 kills/set and hit .311. The trio of attackers combined for 109 of Tennessee's 142 kills during the season's first weekend. All three players led Tennessee in kills between the three matches, with Runnels and Fingall tying with a team-high 17 kills against Texas Tech. Felts led in kills versus ETSU with 11 and Fingall posted a team-best 16 in the weekend finale against NC State.
SEC RANKINGS
Tennessee ranks in the top five in the SEC in five separate categories. UT is second in kills per set (15.78), assists per set (13.78) and digs per set (16.00). It is third in hitting percentage at .366 and fifth in blocks per set with a mark of 3.00.
WINDICATORS
Tennessee was 10-1 last season when it hit .250 or better, and during Eve Rackham Watt's three seasons on Rocky Top, UT is 39-3 when it reaches the .250 or better mark. Under Rackham Watt, the Lady Vols are 41-4 when they win the second set.
SCOUTING BAYLOR
2021 Record: 1-1 Overall
Series Record: Series tied, 1-1
Last Meeting: Sept. 14, 2019 – A three-set win for Baylor.
Key Player/Stat: Baylor opened the season with a 3-1 victory over then No. 7 Minnesota, before falling in four sets to second-ranked Wisconsin. Pressley Yossiana leads the Bears in kills per set average at 4.25. Both Marieke van der Mark and Lauren Harrison average 2.50 kills per set, the second-highest average on the team.
Hannah Sedwick leads Baylor in assists, averaging 8.50 per set.
UP NEXT
Tennessee welcomes No. 7 Pittsburgh to Knoxville Sunday for a 1 p.m. matinee at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Players Mentioned
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/ Volleyball
RS
/ Volleyball
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/ Volleyball
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