Oct. 9, 2008

The Redhawks start a three-game homestand this weekend when they host two Ohio Valley Conference opponents starting with a key OVC match-up against 2008 OVC Tournament Champions Tennessee State on Friday, October 10 in Houck Field House with first serve set for 7:00 p.m. On Saturday the Redhawks host Austin Peay at Houck at 2:00 p.m.

Saturday's match will coincide with Redhawks Rally Night. Free hot dogs, popcorn and soda will be served before the volleyball and soccer games that night starting at 6:00 p.m. Afterwards, head into either Houck Stadium or Houck Field House as the soccer and volleyball teams both host a game starting at 7 p.m. The soccer team will host Morehead State inside Houck Stadium, and the Redhawks volleyball team will take on Tennessee State.

Redhawks Rally will be a special 2-for-1 event. Fans can be admitted at either venue, and they will have full access to both games for the price of one!

All 2008 Walk for Women's Athletics participants will receive FREE admission with their women's walk t-shirt.

The Redhawks (6-6, 4-2 OVC) are currently tied for third in the OVC standings with the Lady Govs after a 3-0 road win over Eastern Illinois last Thursday in Charleston, Illinois. In that game the Redhawks recorded a season-high attack percentage of .286 as Claire Keaton and Karleigh DeLong each recorded team-highs with 11 kills apiece. Junior setter Sarah Barth recorded her first double-double of the season with 36 assists and 11 digs.

Offensively the Redhawks led by Keaton and DeLong who rank seventh and tenth respectively in the OVC in kills at 3.18 kps and 2.83 kps. Barth leads the team and ranks third in the OVC in assists at 8.14 per set. That average jumps up to 9.06 per set in OVC games. Teammate Alyssa Aston ranks sixth in the OVC in assists with 6.81 per set. Sophomore Kelly Benacka ranks second in the OVC in service aces.

The Redhawks boasts one of the top defensive units in the OVC holding foes to a .171 attack percentage which is the second-best mark in the conference. Against OVC foes that average dips to .140 per game. Up front the Redhawks rank third in blocks at 1.64 per set thanks to Sophomore Emily Hughes who ranks fourth in the OVC with 0.82 per set.

The Redhawks continue to lead the league and ranks fourth nationally in digs at 17.80 digs per set. Junior libero Molly Davis paces that digging effort, ranking fourth in the OVC and 43rd nationally with 4.59 digs per set.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS

The Tigers (4-9, 3-3 OVC) are tied for fourth in the league standings. After winning two-straight games against OVC opponents at home this past weekend they fell to Nashville rival Belmont, 3-2 on Tuesday in non-conference action.

Offensively the Tigers are led by preseason All-OVC selection Christian Lowe who was named the OVC's Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for her performance last week. The OVC's leader in kills (3.67 per set) and points (4.24 per set) led her team to a 2-1 record last week recording 54 kills, 63 points, 12 blocks and two double-doubles. In the Tigers loss to Belmont she recorded a match-high 26 kills.

The Tigers rank just behind the Redhawks in opponents hitting percentage at .166 per game. Preseason All-OVC 2nd Team selection Candace Saleaumua leads the defense at 3.49 digs per set. Lowe averages 2.12 digs per set.

The Redhawks have dominated the overall series with a 33-3 advantage. Last season the two teams split their two meetings with each team successfully defending their home courts. In their 3-0 win at Houck, the Redhawks were led by Aubrey Dondlinger's 14 kills as DeLong added 12 kills. Barth recorded a double-double with 29 assists and 12 digs. Lowe led the Tigers with eight kills.

SCOUTING THE LADY GOVS

The Lady Govs (12-6, 4-2 OVC) are currently deadlocked with the Redhawks for the No. 3 spot in the OVC standings. Last weekend the Lady Govs went 1-1 against OVC foes at home and finished a three-game homestand with a 2-1 record.

The top offensive team in the OVC with a .231 attack percentage and a kill average of 13.24 per set, they feature three threats in the frontline led by Stephanie Champine who ranks third in the OVC with 3.42 kills per set. Jessica Mollman and Kirstin Distler rank third and fourth respectively in the OVC in attack percentage. Setter Sarah Alisaleh leads the OVC and ranks fifth nationally in service aces with an average of 0.59 per set.

Defensively the Lady Govs rank 13th nationally in digs at 17.10 per set. Caroline Frens leads the team and ranks fifth in the OVC with 4.27 digs per set.

The Redhawks lead the all-time series 29-11 and have won the last five meetings dating back to the 2004 season. Last season the Redhawks won both match-ups with the Lady Govs including a 3-0 win in their season-finale that clinched a share of the OVC regular season title. Dondlinger (10 kills/12 digs) and Barth (34 assists/18 digs) finished with double-doubles. Davis finished with a match-high 24 digs.