Trojans head to Western Illinois as conference race intensifies

With just six matches left before the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, every opportunity is crucial for Little Rock as they travel to Western Illinois to face the Leathernecks on Thursday and Friday in Macomb, Ill. A total of 2.5 games is all that separates third place in the OVC from the eighth and final spot to qualify for the championship.
 
The Trojans (12-12, 7-5 OVC) sit 1.5 games out of third and just a half-game from fourth as they prepare to face ninth-place Western Illinois (7-18, 4-8) at Western Hall with games at 5 pm Thursday and 2 pm Friday. Both will be available for live streaming on ESPN+.
 
GAME INFO
Who: Little Rock (12-12, 7-5) at Western Illinois (7-18, 4-8)
When: 5 pm Thursday and 2 pm Friday
Where: Western Hall, Macomb, Ill.
Video: ESPN+
Stats: LrTrojans.com
 
SERIES HISTORY
• Western Illinois leads the all-time series, 3-1.
• The Trojans are 0-2 in Macomb.
• Western Illinois won the last meeting, 3-0, on Nov. 2, 2024.
 
COACH SPEAK
"We've got some momentum after beating Morehead State last weekend, and we're looking to turn that into a successful weekend on the road. Every match is big for us now coming down the stretch." – Little Rock head coach Van Compton
 
TROJAN REPORT
• Little Rock ranks among the top teams in the OVC in several categories, including opponents' hitting percentage (1st), team digs (2nd), team kills (4th), team assists (4th), and team blocks (4th). Roman is the OVC individual leader in total digs and second in digs per set, while Margaritha is second in hitting percentage. Jaycee Kennedy leads the OVC in total blocks. 
• Outside hitter Sophia Garrido set a single-game career high with 16 kills on Friday against Morehead State. She also surpassed 100 career blocks last weekend. 
• A'lanae Margaritha is on pace to have one of the most efficient seasons the program has seen for hitting percentage. Currently at .337, which ranks as the 4th-best single-season mark in program history. She is first on the all-time program leaderboard for career hitting percentage at .325. 
• Andrea Roman is hunting down the top spot in program history for career digs, currently ranking 3rd with 1396. She is just 229 digs shy of taking over the top spot. Roman currently ranks 10th nationally in digs per set and 11th in total digs.