<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4aaVPf_0vjp0sdj00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4aaVPf_0vjp0sdj00" width="1920" height="1080" ></figure>TROY, Ala. – After going 5-5 in non-conference play, the Troy volleyball team opens its Sun Belt Conference schedule with a pair of matches against in-state rival South Alabama on Thursday and Friday in Trojan Arena. First serve is set for 6 p.m. for both matches, which will also be broadcast on ESPN+. Troy (5-5) is coming off an 0-2 weekend in Madison, Wis., where they were swept by No. 7 Wisconsin and lost 3-1 to Texas A&amp;M. Wisconsin was the second-highest ranked team Troy has ever played (No. 4 Louisville, 2023) and Texas A&amp;M entered the weekend at 8-1. The Trojans took the first set against the Aggies on Sunday.The Trojans opened there 2023 conference slate 10-0 before losing its first match, which happened to come against South Alabama on the road. Troy finished 12-4 in SBC play last season, which was tied for second in the west division, before getting eliminated in the Sun Belt Tournament Quarterfinals against James Madison.Match InformationWho: South Alabama (4-6) at Troy (5-5)When: Thursday, September 26, 6 p.m. | Friday, September 27, 6 p.m.Where: Troy, Ala. – Trojan Arena (5,200)Watch: ESPN+Live stats: Troystats.comFast Start The Trojans look to replicate their 2023 Sun Belt success, as they won a program-record 12 conference matches. Troy was picked second in the west division in the Sun Belt Preseason Coaches' Poll, coming in behind Texas State. Troy had series sweeps over Louisiana, Southern Miss, Marshall, Arkansas State and ULM last season. The Trojans will continue to rely on the high-octane offense led by senior outside Tori Hester and junior Amiah Butler. As a team Troy has recorded 434 kills, for an average of 12.40 per set. The Trojans are sixth in the conference in kills per set, and 160th nationally. Hester leads the conference in kills per set with 4.54 and is 14th in the country. In total, she had logged 159 kills through ten matches, which is second in the SBC and 74th in the country. Butler has also been scoring in high volumes this season, as she is second on the team and in the conference in kills per set with 3.80, and second on team with 133 kills. On defense, Jaci Mesa leads the way with 101 digs (2.89 d/s) this season. Audrey Worthington and Sydney Austin have been the two most dynamic middles for the Trojans this season, as Austin leads the team in blocks with 25.0 and has also recorded 21 kills. Worthington, who made her debut in the team's fifth match of the season against Cal Poly, is averaging 0.90 kills per set and 0.65 blocks per set. Scouting South Alabama The Jaguars enter Thursday and Friday's matches coming off a 2-1 weekend at the Alabama Showdown, which included wins over UAB and Samford, and a four-set loss to Auburn. Abryanna Cannon is leading the Jaguars in points (3.81) per set and kills (3.21) per set, ranking eighth in the league in points. Also having a strong season on offense for the Jaguars is Maradith O'Gorman (2.18 k/s) and Sarah Gooch (2.03 k/s). South Alabama leads the all-time series 51-34 and is 20-17 when traveling to Troy. The Trojans won the most recent matchup 3-1 in Mobile last season.Notables • Josh Lauer is in his eighth season at the helm of Troy and boasts a 112-104 record while leading the Trojans. • The Trojans finished the 2023 season at 81 in the NCAA's RPI rankings. The Sun Belt had six teams in the top 100 of the final RPI rankings. • Troy will play seven matches against teams who qualified for the 2023 Division I NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship. • Troy has recorded 434 kills as a team, for an average of 12.40 per set. The Trojans are sixth in the conference in kills per set, and 160th nationally. • Amiah Butler and Tori Hester have each earned Women's Volleyball Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors so far this season. • Hester's 159 kills leads the Trojans and is second in the SBC this season. Hester logged 29 kills in Troy's 3-1 win over New Hampshire on opening day, which is a program record for the most kills in a four-set match. The previous best was 28 held by Cheyenne Hayes. • Hester's 4.54 kills per set is first in the conference and ranks her 14th nationally. Just behind her in the conference rankings is her Butler with 3.80. Butler is third in the SBC in total kills with 133. • The Trojans are using a two-setter system this year with Janelle Stuempfig (5.23 a/s) and Jordan Sinness (4.68 a/s) leading the charge. As a team, Troy is averaging 11.69 assists per set, while the offense is averaging 12.40 kills per set.</div></body>

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Troy Volleyball Hosts South Alabama to Open Sun Belt Schedule

TROY, Ala. – After going 5-5 in non-conference play, the Troy volleyball team opens its Sun Belt Conference schedule with a pair of matches against in-state rival South Alabama on Thursday and Friday in Trojan Arena. First serve is set for 6 p.m. for both matches, which will also be broadcast on ESPN+.