ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd Triton volleyball team will take a break from conference play this weekend as they travel to participate in the South Region Crossover in Carrollton, Georgia.
SCHEDULE: vs. Lee University (Friday, 10:00 AM) | vs. Valdosta State (Friday, 4:45 PM) | vs. Alabama-Huntsville (Saturday, 2:30 PM)
COVERAGE: Tournament Webpage |
Live StatsSETTING THE STAGEThe Tritons head to the annual South Region Crossover where they will face three Gulf South Conference teams over the weekend. Eckerd (8-7, 3-4) has won three of its last four matches heading into the tournament. The Tritons open the weekend against Lee (Tenn.) University, a relative newcomer to NCAA Division II, then face Valdosta State (Ga.) on Friday afternoon before wrapping up on Saturday against the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
ABOUT THE FLAMES- Lee (8-8, 4-6 GSC) recently became a full member of NCAA Division II after transitioning from the NAIA, where its volleyball team was one of the association's premier programs.
- The Flames have three hitters averaging over two kills per set, led by Silvia Sartori's average of 3.03. The 6-foot-1 freshman from Belgrade, Serbia, is hitting at a .146 clip and has also served 22 aces. Brooke Wilsman (2.19) and Catherine Conley (2.12) are the team's other primary attack options.
- Lee has proven to give opponents problems off the serve, as the Flames have totaled 97 aces on the season and an average of 1.67 per set.
ABOUT THE BLAZERS- Valdosta State (14-2, 9-2 GSC) got the season off to a hot start with a 12-match winning streak before losing back-to-back conference games to West Florida and North Alabama.
- The Blazers boast an efficient attack, entering the weekend hitting .229 on the season. Susanna Peonia leads the team at .375, which ranks 22nd in the nation. Peonia averages 2.61 kills per set, slightly behind Anita Rodriguez-Sanchez (2.79) and Lea Jaklen (3.03).
- VSU is 3-0 against Sunshine State Conference opponents this season. The Blazers swept Rollins, defeated Barry in four sets and downed Lynn in five sets.
ABOUT THE CHARGERS- Alabama-Huntsville (15-5, 6-5 GSC) opened the season with 11 straight wins before losing three straight in conference play.
- The Chargers are one of the nation's top serving teams, ranking 40th in aces per set with 1.84. They've totaled 129 aces on the year with only 65 errors. Four players have 20 or more aces - Alexis Deal (26), Kirsten Giles (25), Haley Hop (25) and Anna LeDuc (20).
- UAH sports a balanced attack, led by Anna Claire Johnson who averages 2.85 kills per set. LeDuc is just behind her (2.82) followed by Olivia Bauman (2.50) and Kendall Knisley (1.90).
ABOUT THE TRITONS- Eckerd comes into the crossover as winners of three of its last four contests, including a sweep of Nova Southeastern on Saturday.
- The Tritons are one of the nation's most efficient attacking teams, entering the weekend hitting .237 as a team - 34rd best in NCAA Division II. Eckerd hit .282 in its last outing against Nova Southeastern.
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Tjasa Kotnik ranks 10th in the nation in points per set (4.97) and 21st in kills per set (4.16). She is chasing the 1000 career kill mark, currently sitting at 747 in her three years as a Triton.
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