NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University volleyball team is set to open league play this weekend with a double-dip in the Music City, playing Tennessee State University at 7 p.m. on Friday and Belmont University at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
 
 
HERE'S THE SKINNY:
 
-The Colonels are led by senior Nikki Drost who has notched 146 kills (2.75 per set).
 
-Celina Sanks (10) and Cassie Knutson (12) are both in double-digits with service aces on the season.  
 
-Kaylin Johnson leads EKU with 43 total blocks thus far. She finished last weekend by being named Panther Challenge All-Tournament.
 
-EKU returns all letterwinners from last season.
 
-Drost and Woody were both named All-OVC Preseason Selections going into the season.
 
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS:
 
TENNESSEE STATE
-The Tigers (4-9) come into the weekend on a six-game skid after being swept at the Hampton Inn Bama Bash at the University of Alabama and the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational at Missouri State.
 
-Tennessee State falls behind statistically in kills versus opponents 475-to-577. Opponents also lead in attack percentage, .238 vs. .151.
 
-Julia Pierson leads TSU offensively with 116 kills on the season, but falls short with a .093 attack percentage.
 
-Defensively the Tigers are led by senior libero Cherlie Adorno-DeJesus who boasts 201 digs on the season (4.57 digs-per-set).
 
BELMONT
-The Bruins are coming off of a brutal four-game skid, falling to Western Kentucky, No. 7 Kansas, No. 9 Creighton and No. 17 Purdue.
 
-Belmont (5-6) is led by senior outside hitter Arianna Person who has tallied 121 kills (3.27 kills-per-set) thus far.
 
-Opponents lead in attack perecentage .172 vs. .219.
 
-The Bruins have been hot on the service, topping opponents 64-to-48 in serves aced.
 
 
WHAT'S NEXT:
-EKU heads home to kick off a three-game conference slate starting with Tennessee Tech on Friday at 6 p.m.