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RICHMOND, Ky. – The EKU volleyball team hosts its final two matches of the regular season this weekend as Jacksonville State University and Tennessee Tech University visit McBrayer Arena.
The Colonels take on the Gamecocks in Friday's match which is set for 7 p.m. Saturday's match against the Golden Eagles is scheduled for a 2 p.m. first serve.
EKU won its last two matches with victories over Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Tennessee at Martin last weekend in Richmond.
Juniors
Nikki Drost and
Celina Sanks rank in the Ohio Valley Conference's top 10 in kills-per-set. Drost's 2.99 kps ranks eighth while Sanks' 2.95 is ninth in the league. Junior defensive specialist
Mallory Maxwell's 4.69 digs-per-set is second highest in the conference.
Drost picked up OVC Offensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week honors following last weekend's wins at McBrayer Arena as Maxwell was voted Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this season.
Drost took over Friday's fifth set over SEMO, adding seven of her 19 kills on the night in the final frame. She also added 11 digs in the win and recorded her team-high ninth double-double of the season. She hit .341 over the weekend, racking up 35 kills in the two victories. The Las Vegas, Nevada native averaged 3.89 kills-per-set in the two matches, as EKU posted its second highest hitting percentage of the season and best in league play.
Maxwell logged 42 digs to go with eight impactful service aces. She averaged 4.67 digs-per-set on the weekend. She currently ranks second in the conference with 4.69 digs-per-set on the season and is a single dig shy of the 400 mark.
The Gamecocks travel to Richmond coming off losses at Eastern Illinois and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville last weekend. Junior Allyson Zuhlke leads the JSU offense, ranking fourth in the league with a hitting percentage of .295. Zuhlke averages 3.13 kills-per-set which is sixth in the OVC. Collectively, the Gamecocks hold the second highest hitting percentage in the conference (.212) and are tied for second in opponent hitting percentage (.161). JSU averages a league best 2.78 blocks-per-set.
Tennessee Tech split last weekend's road trip to SIUE and EIU. The Golden Eagles lost in straight sets to second place SIUE before adding a 3-2 win over Eastern Illinois. Sophomore Shaneice James enters the weekend second in the league with a .310 hitting percentage.
Saturday's match is Senior Day and Girl Scout Day at McBrayer Arena. Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame coach Dr. Geri Polvino will also be recognized on Saturday.
