Monday, October 17, 2011

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Coming off this weekend’s road Atlantic Sun sweep of Jacksonville and North Florida, the Lipscomb volleyball returns home on Tuesday to face their toughest challenge of 2011 so far as Big East power Louisville comes to Allen Arena at 6:30 p.m.  

Riding a seven-game winning streak, the Cardinals enter Tuesday night’s contest 15-4 on the season and are receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top-25 poll. 

“You don’t get a lot of opportunities to play a top-30 team in your own arena,” said Lipscomb head coach Brandon Rosenthal.  “It should be a lot of fun.  Last year we had a great match with them there and came up just a little bit short.  I think at the end of that night the girls though, hey, I’d like to have another opportunity at them.  We’re very fortunate to have them here.”

The Lady Bisons continue to lead the Atlantic Sun in hitting percentage with a .241 mark ahead of Belmont’s .215 effort.  Lipscomb also leads the league in assists (12.93/s) and kills (14.00/s).  Freshman Jewell Dobson ranks second in the league in hitting percentage with a .343 average just ahead of senior teammate Katie Rose, who owns a .328 average. Junior Kaycee Green continues to rank in the top five in kills with her 3.61 kills-per-set average.

The opponent:  Louisville is powered by junior Lola Arslanbekova, who ranks second in the nation in kills per set with a 5.10 average. The two-time AVCA honorable mention All-America also ranks third in the country averaging 5.64 points per set.  Caitlin Welch leads the way defensively for UL digging 4.12 balls per set.

“They’ve got some tremendous players,” said Rosenthal. “Lola (Arslanbekova) on the outside is probably one of the best outsides in the country. Then Emily Juhl, who our players are very familiar with seeing that Caitlin Dotson and Sarah Ulinksi both played with her in the same club system. There’s a lot of Louisville ties.”

The Cardinals lead the Big East in hitting with a .267 hitting percentage as well as leading in defense with as Louisville opponents are being held to a .147 mark.  The four teams that have edged Louisville this season have a combined record of 63-15.

Following the contest, the Lipscomb women’s basketball team hits the floor for a “sneak peek” scrimmage and introduction.  There will be free ice cream and free t-shirts for Lipscomb students on a first-come, first-served basis.