Trojans Face Cal Baptist in NIVC

Little Rock vs. Cal Baptist
Date	Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018
Time	5:00 p.m.
Location	New Orleans, La.
Arena	Devlin Fieldhouse (Tulane)
Records	Little Rock (19-12, 10-6 Sun Belt) Cal Baptist (20-10, 9-7 WAC)
Stats	Trojanstats.com
Video	Stream

OPENING SERVE
After receiving an invite to the Women's NIVC, Little Rock will take on Cal Baptist in New Orleans, La. Thursday, Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. inside Devlin Fieldhouse. The Lancers finished the season 20-10 overall, 9-7 in WAC play, and come in at 129 in the RPI, compared to the Trojans' 109. This is the first meeting between the two programs. Little Rock ended the season 19-12 overall and 10-6 in conference play, falling to Sun Belt Champion Texas State 1-3 in the semifinals of the Conference Tournament. It was the Trojans' third time in the past five seasons reaching the semifinal.
 
POSTSEASON GOINGS
The Trojans are headed to postseason play for the first time since 2014's trip to the NCAA Tournament. This is the first time Little Rock has competed in the Women's NIVC. This is the sixth time the Trojans have competed in postseason play. Little Rock is 1-5 in postseason contests.

THE TROJAN WALL
Paced by the effort of Veronica Marin this season, Little Rock ranks among the national leaders in a handful of defensive categories. The Trojans sit 13th nationally in total blocks (315) and 27th for opponent hitting percentage (.163). Marin ranks third the country in total blocks (182) and has the 10th best blocks per set average in the nation (1.52).
 
TRIPLE-DOUBLE LINDBERG
Senior setter Taylor Lindberg has proven to be an even greater threat for Little Rock with the implementation of Van Compton's 6-2 offensive scheme in 2018. Lindberg registered her fourth triple-double of the year against Texas State at home, handing out 21 assists with 12 kills and 11 digs. She is one of two players in the Sun Belt Conference this season to registered a triple-double while ranking tied for eighth nationally, being only one of 12 players to have four or more this season.
 
MILESTONE WATCH
A pair of Trojan seniors continue to climb up the charts in the Little Rock record books as Taylor Lindberg and Sydnee Martin each sit near the top of impressive categories. Lindberg ranks second in career assists at 2,989, passing Iva Adzic (2002-05) against Texas State two weeks ago. Martin has collected 1,402 career digs, moving past Edina Begic (2011-14) for second all-time on the team's trip to the Carolinas. She is now 223 digs behind Emily Pepperman, who tallied 1,625 during her career.
 
TROJANS AMONG SUN BELT LEADERS
Through the duration of the season, Little Rock ranks among the league leaders in a number of categories. As a team, the Trojans lead the Sun Belt in blocks per set (2.63), opponent hitting percentage (.163), total digs (1,886) and total blocks (315) while ranking second in hitting percentage (.242) assists (1,506) kills (1,587) and total attacks (4,255).  and third in assists per set (12.55), kills per set (13.23) and winning percentage (.613). Individually, Veronica Marin is league leader in blocks per set (1.52), total blocks (182) and hitting percentage (0.401), while teammate Carol Barbosa has the third-best (0.360). Marin also has the third most points (459). Taylor Lindberg has collected the second most triple-doubles (4) and Diana Giordani has the eighth most digs at a mark of 432.
 
SCOUTING THE LANCERS
2018: 20-10, 9-7 WAC, 6-2 neutral courts.
Last Three Matches: W at Cal State Fullerton (3-1), L at New Mexico State (1-3), L at UTRGV (2-3)
Series: This is the first meeting between the two schools.
Head Coach: Branden Higa (Seventh season)
Kill Leaders: Tesa Oaks (385), Megan Sester (358) and Summer Avery (306).
Hitting Pct. Leaders: Sydney Marks (.313), Natalie Zimmerer (.287) and Tesa Oaks (.215)
Assist Leaders: Natalie Zimmerer (1,228), Nicole Abreu (105) and Kately Vander Tuig (25)
Dig Leaders: Nicole Abreu (532), Summer Avery (322) and Tesa Oaks (322)
Block Leaders: Sydney Marks (110), Yagoda Jedrzejczak (108) and Summer Avery (71).