Friday, September 23, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Looking to capture a third-straight Atlantic Sun regular season title, something never before accomplished in league history, the Lipscomb volleyball team opens conference play this weekend on the road at Mercer on Friday night in Macon, Ga.  The Lady Bisons then travel back north to take on Kennesaw State on Saturday afternoon in Kennesaw, Ga.

On the line for the Lady Bisons is the nation’s longest conference winning streak in NCAA Division I volleyball of 35 games that dates back to the 2008 campaign.

"Conference play is a special thing," said Lipscomb head coach Brandon Rosenthal.  "Over the past four weeks, we've worked really hard to get to this point and be prepared including taking last weekend off."

"Starting off against Mercer and Kennesaw (State) is no easy task.  Just being on the road is tough as well.”

The opponents:

(Mercer) – The Bears head into this weekend’s contest 4-9 but Mercer has won three of their last four matches including a 3-2 upset over Georgia.  Jennifer Katona leads the way offensively for the Bears averaging 2.57 kills per set.  Mercer ranks tops among A-Sun teams in defense holding their opponents to a .194 hitting percentage. 

“Mercer posts quite a threat the way they've been playing as of late,” said Rosenthal.  “They had a huge win over Georgia and they do a great job of getting fans out to the games.  There's no doubt they're going to put the pressure on us.”

(Kennesaw) – The Owls open A-Sun play tonight hosting Belmont having dropped three straight matches and are 5-10 on the season but three of Kennesaw’s five wins have come at home.  Justine Young leads the way offensively for the Owls averaging just over 3.5 kills per contest.  That number ranks her fifth in the league. 

“Kennesaw has been playing some good opponents right now and it's going to be interesting to see,” said Rosenthal.  “They're a young team and they're hoping to get some people back off of injury as well.    If they're able to get those people back, they'll contribute quite a bit.  They are really athletic and it will be interesting to see the two styles go at each other.”  

Saturday’s contest against Kennesaw slated for 2 p.m. will be broadcast online on A-Sun TV.

Quick hitters:

Lipscomb enters A-Sun play leading the conference in hitting percentage (.224) by 22 points and kills-per-set (13.20).  The Lady Bisons also rank second in assists per set (12.05).

Senior Katie Rose and freshman Jewell Dobson both rank in the top five in hitting percentage in the league.

Junior Kaycee Green ranks third in the A-Sun in kills averaging 3.65 per set.