JONESBORO, Ark. (10/31/19) – With the road to the 2019 Sun Belt Conference Tournament nearing its end and every match crucial, the Arkansas State volleyball team opens a stretch of three home matches over a five-day span this weekend.

To open that stint, Georgia is on the minds of the Red Wolves (13-8, 4-5 SBC), hosting Georgia Southern (6-15, 1-9) Friday night before taking on Georgia State (7-14, 3-7) on Saturday. First serve for both matches is slated for 6:30 p.m.

Friday's match is Greek Night with the top fraternity and sorority in attendance (based on percentage) receiving free pizza, while Saturday night will feature “The Office” Night. There, it will be Pretzel Day complete with a soft pretzel bar, coffee mug giveaway and “The Office” trivia questions between sets.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the door for all matches.

Match Information
Dates: Nov. 1-2
Location: First National Bank Arena (10,563) – Jonesboro, Arkansas

Schedule:
Friday, Nov. 1:
6:30 p.m. – Georgia Southern (6-15, 1-9 SBC) at Arkansas State (13-8, 4-5) (LIVE STATS | WATCH LIVE)
            *PROMOTION: Greek Night*
            - Drawing for giveaway for a TV, Memphis Grizzlies tickets and Starbucks gift cards
            - Top sorority & top fraternity in attendance (based on percentage) will win free pizza

Saturday, Nov. 2:
6:30 p.m. – Georgia State (7-14, 3-7) at Arkansas State (LIVE STATS | WATCH LIVE)
            *PROMOTION: “The Office” Night*
            - “World's Best Fan” coffee mug giveaway; free soft pretzels with various toppings

Series History vs. Georgia Southern & Georgia State

Record vs. Georgia Southern: 8-1
Last Meeting: W, 3-0 (10/27/18 – Statesboro, Ga.)
Streak: A-State, 8
Restrepo vs. Georgia Southern: 1-0

Record vs. Georgia State: 11-0
Last Meeting: W, 3-1 (10/26/18 – Atlanta, Ga.)
Streak: A-State, 11
Restrepo vs. Georgia State: First meeting

Quick Hitters

•  - This season is the 45th year of volleyball at Arkansas State, owning an all-time mark of 1,057-541-5 (.661).
•  - Entering the 2019 season, Arkansas State has the 20th most wins in Division I history.
•  - Arkansas State has won all 11 meetings vs. Georgia State and eight in a row vs. Georgia Southern. Against the Eagles, A-State has claimed 19 sets in a row.
•  - A-State is a perfect 37-0 since the 2017 season when taking the first two sets. See page 5 for more.
•  - Under first-year head coaches, the Red Wolves are 148-104 overall.
•  - A-State has allowed the fewest service aces in the Sun Belt, just 73 through 79 sets played - 13 fewer than the No. 2 spot (Troy, 86). The Red Wolves give up less than one ace per set.
•  - The Scarlet and Black is the only team in the conference with three players who hold 50 or more blocks on the year.
•  - The Red Wolves own the third-lowest hitting percentage defense in the Sun Belt Conference, holding foes to a .172 clip. That mark ranks inside the top 50 nationally (as of 10/31).
•  - In 2019, A-State has tallied 30 total double-double performances. In 2018, the Red Wolves only totaled 33 as a squad. A-State's 2019 pace is the best by a Red Wolves team since before 2010.

Know the Foes: Georgia Southern & Georgia State

•  - Georgia Southern enters Friday's match riding a seven-match losing skid. Since opening the season 4-2, the Eagles have dropped 13 of their last 15 matches - seven in straight sets. Carly Turner leads the Eagles in kills (174) while Madison Brown paces the offense with 589 assists. Baylor Bumford leads with a .322 attack percentage to go along with a team-high 60 blocks. Georgia Southern's lone win in conference play was a 3-1 victory over Troy on Oct. 4.
•  - Arkansas State owns an 8-1 lead in the all-time series against Georgia Southern. The Eagles claimed the first-ever meeting, but A-State has been strong of late, taking the last eight contests.
•  - On Saturday, the Red Wolves play the second of a three-match home stretch against Georgia State. The Panthers are riding a three-match losing skid entering the weekend and have lost five of their last seven. Sydney Stroud leads the Panthers with 166 kills, while Kampbell Hehr has dished out 447 assists in Georgia State's two-setter system. The Panthers are the top blocking team in the conference at 184.0 total blocks, including 54 solo. Meisheia Griffin leads the league with 91 total blocks (77 assists, 14 solo).
•  - In the all-time series, Arkansas State has claimed all 11 meetings.

Home, Sweet Home

•  - The 2019 season marks the 32nd season Arkansas State has played volleyball at First National Bank Arena, formerly known as The Convocation Center.
•  - Over the last 31-plus seasons (with the 2011 season being played at the HPESS building), A-State has racked up a solid 293-84 ledger (.781) and has claimed eight or more home victories in five straight seasons.
•  - The Red Wolves went 8-3 in the 2018 season and has had undefeated home seasons six times, most recently in 2015 (8-0).

Welcome to the (Block) Party

•  - In 2019, the Red Wolves have amassed 164.0 blocks and 2.08 blocks per set, the latter which ranks second in the Sun Belt Conference entering the weekend. A-State also ranks second in the league in solo blocks (56).
•  - Entering Friday's match, Arkansas State is the only team in the conference with three players owning 50 or more blocks on the season.
•  - Freshman Kendahl Davenport ranks seventh in total blocks in the league (64).

Double Vision

•  - In 2019, Arkansas State players have totaled 30 double-doubles, led by eight apiece from Peyton Uhlenhake and Malgorzata Andersohn. That team total is the most since before 2010.
• - Julianna Cramer and Macey Putt have each accounted for seven and six, respectively and Hannah Cox has one.
•  - In 2018, the Red Wolves totaled 33, with Macey Putt tied for second on the team with 8.

First Set Is Key … Second Set Also Helps

•  - Winning the first set is always a great start to a Red Wolves' victory. In 2018, A-State was nearly unbeatable after taking the first set, going 16-3.
•  - Over the past two-plus seasons, the Red Wolves are 44-9 when going up 1-0 in the match.
•  - If you extend that trend into the second set, A-State was 14-0 when it took the first two sets in 2018, and 37-0 dating back to 2017.
•  - This season, the Red Wolves are 9-0 when taking leads of 1-0 and 2-0.

Defense! (Clap Clap) Defense! (Clap Clap)

•  - Defense has been a staple of Arkansas State's success in recent years. In 2018, the Red Wolves were 8-2 when holding opponents to a hitting percentage of under .200.
•  - This year, A-State held 11 of its first 12 opponents to hitting percentages of below .200 to open the year (the one team being nationally-ranked Rice, who hit .226). As of Oct. 31, the Red Wolves own the No. 3 opposing attack percentage in the Sun Belt Conference, holding foes to a mark of just .172.

Fans can follow the team on Twitter (@AStateVB) and Instagram (astatevb) along with liking the Arkansas State University Volleyball page on Facebook for the latest news and updates regarding the team.