ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Reddies begin the week at home against conference opponent Arkansas-Monticello September 30th at 6:30 PM before going across the ravine to take on Ouachita Baptist on October 2nd at 6:00 PM.
The Reddies are coming off a split week, losing on the road against Harding 3-1, before returning home to sweep Southern Arkansas 3-0.
On the offensive side, the Reddies continue to show strength. Senior
Katilyn Steffes currently leads the nation and the GAC in total kills with 234. Steffes also leads the GAC in kills per set (4.18) and total attacks (731). Freshman
Kelis Battles ranks second on the team behind Steffes in kills (142), kills per set (2.54) and total attacks (465).
Another freshman standout orchestrates the offense, as Setter
Tyhia Mack leads the team in assists (293) and assists per set (5.23). Sophomore
Skylar Holler and senior
Jessie Jerome have contributed meaningfully at the setter position, as they follow Mack in assists with 123 and 117 respectively.
On the defensive side,
Kaylon Partain continues to have a dominant season, as she logged her 1000th career dig last week, and currently is tied for first in the nation and the GAC this season in total digs (321) and second in the GAC in digs per set (5.75). Steffes and freshman
Berkeley Berry rank behind Partain on the team, collecting 186 and 122 digs respectively.
The Reddies continue to dominate at the net this season, as they rank second in the GAC in total blocks (131.5), and blocks per set (2.3). Junior
Cassidi Campbell leads the team individually, with 64 total blocks and 1.14 blocks per set, while Steffes and sophomore
Meadow Jones follow, collecting 33.0 and 26.0 blocks.
Scouting Arkansas-Monticello (3-9, 0-3)
Arkansas-Monticello is coming off a difficult week, as they went 0-3, losing to Ouachita (3-0), Arkansas Tech (3-0), and Harding (3-0).
The Blossoms offensively are led by Sophia Grubbs who leads the team in kills (75) and kills per set (2.88). Mia Smalls orchestrates the offense, as she leads the team in assists (142) and assists per set (3.94), while also contributing the second-most kills with 51.
On the defensive side, Smalls leads the team in digs (125), while Jordan Wehr ranks second in total digs (122), and leads the team in digs per set (3.70). At the net, Jalen Scroggins leads the team in total blocks (15).
The Reddies swept the Blossoms in their last meeting, winning 3-0 at home. When playing inside the Duke Wells Center, HSU is 12-7 against UAM, and is 25-14 all-time.
Scouting Ouachita Baptist (12-3, 3-0)
Ouachita is coming off a 2-0 week, as they defeated Arkansas-Monticello (3-0) and Harding (3-0).
Ouachita carries a balanced offensive attack, with four different players all holding 100+ kills on the season. Kailey Thedford leads the Tigers in kills (150) and kills per set (2.94), while Emily Adams and Riley Braziel follow with 136 kills and 119 kills respectively. Courtney Hanson leads the offense, as she ranks second in the GAC with 469 assists, and third in service aces (26).
On the defensive side, the Tigers are led by Kylie Kisgen who ranks third in the nation and the GAC in digs (311), while leading the country in digs per set (5.98). At the net, Leah Gardner leads the Tigers in total blocks with 51.0.
The Reddies lost the last time they met the Tigers, dropping the match 3-0 at Ouachita. When playing in the Vining Arena, HSU is 10-12 against OBU, and is 37-23 all-time.
