Trojans Close Out Non-Conference Slate in New Orleans

Little Rock at Tulane
Date	Friday, Sept. 14, 2018
Time	12:30 p.m.
Location	New Orleans, La.
Arena	Avron B. Fogelman Arena
Stats	StatBroadcast
Video	Tulane All-Access

OPENING SERVE
Little Rock closes out its non-conference tournament schedule with a tough challenge down in New Orleans, Louisiana, competing in the AllState Sugar Bowl Collegiate Volleyball Classic with four teams boasting a combined season record of 30-11 (.732). Little Rock plays a pair of matches Friday, September 14, taking on host Tulane at 12:30 p.m. before facing ACC foe Clemson at 4:30 p.m. The Trojans close out their stay in the Big Easy facing Villanova of the Big East Saturday, September 15 at 11 a.m.

Little Rock vs. Clemson
Date	Friday, Sept. 14, 2018
Time	4:30 p.m.
Location	New Orleans, La.
Arena	Avron B. Fogelman Arena
Stats	StatBroadcast
Video	Tulane All-Access

 
CHARGING TROJANS
With its 2-1 mark last week at the Central Arkansas Invitational, Little Rock sits at 7-3 through the first 10 matches of the 2018 season. That mark is the Trojans' best through the first 10 games since starting 9-1 in 2008. Additionally, Little Rock has won 26 of its first 37 sets, also matching the 2008 team for the best record to start a season.
 
THE ROMANIAN WALL
Senior middle blocker Veronica Marin was a thorn in the side

Little Rock vs. Villanova
Date	Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018
Time	11 a.m.
Location	New Orleans, La.
Arena	Avron B. Fogelman Arena
Stats	StatBroadcast
Video	Tulane All-Access

of opponents all last weekend in Conway, leading the tournament with 22 total blocks. Marin notched 10 in the win against South Dakota, eight at Central Arkansas and four in the win over UAPB, en route to earning All-Tournament honors for the second time this season. Marin also posted 28 kills with a .414 hitting percentage.
 
LINDBERG MOVING UP THE CHARTS
Senior setter Taylor Lindberg continues to move up the Trojan record books as her performance last weekend moved her into elite company. Lindberg tallied 78 assists in the three matches in Conway and upped her career total to 2,485, moving into third-place all-time in program history. She now trails only Marleen de Zoete (3,433) and Iva Adzic (2,924) in the list of Trojan all-time assist leaders. Lindberg notched a triple double against South Dakota, finishing with 30 assists, 13 kills and 11 digs and continues to be a consistent force on the court for Little Rock.
 
MILESTONE WATCH
Senior libero Sydnee Martin is on the verge of making a jump in the Trojan record books as well, making her mark among the all-time dig leaders. Martin currently ranks sixth all-time with 1,153 career digs, but is just 35 shy of vaulting into third-place all-time, surpassing Jelena Radovanovic's 1,187 digs from 1998-01. Martin has recorded 148 digs already this season, averaging 4.0 digs per set.
 
HERE'S TO YOU, MS. ROBINSON
Sophomore Mya Robinson has emerged as one of Little Rock's top all-around threats in the season as the North Little Rock native leads the team in kills (96) while ranking second in digs (106). Robinson registered her first double-double of the season against Central Arkansas, finishing with 16 kills and 16 digs, then notched a career-high 24 digs in the win over South Dakota State. She has finished in double figures in kills three times this season while notching 10 or more digs on four occasions.
 
WELCOME TO THE SHOW
A handful of newcomers continue to add to the Trojans' success early in 2018. Junior Carol Barbosa ranks second on the team in both kills (86) and blocks (41), posting a .333 hitting percentage. Freshman Laura Jansen has added 83 kills for Little Rock with a .321 attack percentage with 19 blocks, ranking tied for fourth. Junior Pamela Zuluaga has added a new wrinkle to the offense as the Trojans have utilized a 6-2 rotation, dishing out 181 assists on the year with 67 digs.
 
SCOUTING THE GREEN WAVE
2018: 9-3 (.750)
Last Three Matches: W at Southeastern Louisiana (3-0), W vs. Howard (3-0), W at Rutgers (3-0)
Head Coach: Jim Barnes (Third season at Tulane)
All-Time Series: First meeting between Little Rock and Tulane
Kill Leaders: #9 Lexie Douglas (95), #33 Makala Heidelberg (92), #10 Erika Hansel (73)
Hitting Pct. Leaders: #16 Hannah Shaw (.385), #11 Markenzie Benoit (.327), #12 Danya Kern (.293)
Assist Leaders: #34 Taylor Henigsman (240), #13 Jenna Ibieta (185), #4 Kaylie McHugh (45)
Dig Leaders: #4 Kaylie McHugh (173), #33 Makala Heidelberg (148), #13 Jenna Ibieta (65)
Block Leaders: #11 Markenzie Benoit (51), #12 Dayana Kern (29), #10 Erika Hansel (26)
 
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
2018: 7-3 (.700)
Last Three Matches: W vs. North Dakota (3-0), W vs. Troy (3-0), W vs. UAB (3-1)
Head Coach: Michaela Frank (Second season at Clemson)
All-Time Series: Clemson leads, 1-0. Only Meeting: Aug. 25, 2007 (CLEM 3, LR 0)
Kill Leaders: #22 Solei Thomas (104), #15 Ashtynne Alberts (98), #11 Brooke Bailey (98)
Hitting Pct. Leaders: #2 Gabby Easton (.400), #6 Alyssa Deloney (.352), #22 Solei Thomas (.324)
Assist Leaders: #2 Gabby Easton (436), #19 Madi Howell (19), #3 Torie Frederick (14)
Dig Leaders: #3 Torie Frederick (150), #19 Madi Howell (102), #4 Emily Curtis (70)
Block Leaders: #6 Alyssa Deloney (27), #21 Adria Oliver (26), #2 Gabby Easton (20)
 
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
2018: 7-2 (.778)
Last Three Matches: W at Temple (3-1), L vs. High Point (3-0), W vs. Utah (3-2)
Head Coach: Josh Steinbach (12th season at Villanova)
All-Time Series: First meeting between Little Rock and Villanova
Kill Leaders: #12 Sanaa Barnes (81), #15 Mallory Potts (77), #99 Amanda Pedersen-Henry (76)
Hitting Pct. Leaders: #4 Emma Decker (.614), #8 Allie Olsonoski (.337), #11 Ashley Knight (.333)
Assist Leaders: #4 Emma Decker (324), #20 Regan Lough (32), #11 Ashley Knight (29)
Dig Leaders: #20 Regan Lough (167), #5 Anna Morse (89), #4 Emma Decker (76)
Block Leaders: #99 Amanda Pedersen-Henry (35), #8 Allie Olsonoski (29), #4 Emma Decker (19)
 
SUN BELT PLAY BEGINS
Following this weekend's trip to New Orleans, Little Rock sets its sights on its 2018 Sun Belt Conference schedule, which also marks the Trojans' first home matches of the season. Little Rock hosts South Alabama on Friday, September 21, followed by Troy on Saturday, September 22, making its season debut at the Jack Stephens Center.
 
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