Oct. 15, 2009

This Week in SWAC Volleyball

•On Tap for Week #8: Slated for week eight of the 2009 SWAC Volleyball season are seven divisional match-ups, three cross-conference matches, and seven out-of-conference matches.

•Divisional Matches to Watch For: In the East, the first divisional meeting between J-State and MVSU this weekend should be an interesting one. The Lady Tigers are currently on one of the hottest win streaks in the SWAC, having routed the West 4-0 in last week's SU tourney. Despite recent stumbles, the Devilettes have endured some win streaks of their own this season and are coming off a victory over Southern. MVSU, who's ranked #3 in the east will see if it can steal the #2 spot from JSU on Saturday. In the West, Wednesday's battle between #1 Grambling State and #2 Prairie View A&M may prove the most intriguing match-up in the west this week. GSU currently sits at 3-0 in the west and defeated PVAM 3-0 earlier this season. However, the Lady Panthers have been gaining some steam and will look to avenge their loss, while attempting to dethrone the Lady Tigers from the top of the west.

•Alabama A&M hosts Betty Kelly Austin Invitational: Alabama A&M will host its first ever Betty Kelly Austin Volleyball Invitational this Friday and Saturday in T.M. Elmore Gymnasium. The tournament is named in honor of Betty K. Austin, current Alabama A&M Athletic Director and former volleyball coach. During her 30 year tenure as head volleyball coach for the Bulldogs, Austin collected 11 SIAC conference titles and won six-straight SWAC volleyball titles from 2000-05. She finished her coaching career with over 600 victories, placing her among the top volleyball coaches in the country. The invitational will include teams from both the SWAC and SIAC in honor of Austin's stellar career in both conferences. Set to participate from the SWAC along with the Bulldogs are Alabama State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. SIAC competitors will be Fort Valley State and Kentucky State.

•SWAC in the NCAA Rankings:

Team: Aces Per Set - #8 Alabama A&M (1.94); #17 Miss. Valley State (1.84), #31 Alabama State (1.70)

Individual: Aces Per Set - #4 Kantessa Bryant, MVSU (0.62); #6 Anna Meinert, ALST (0.60); #14 Clarissa Moore, AAMU (0.53); #33 Maura Moed, MVSU (0.45)

Upcoming Matches

Thursday, October 15 Grambling State at Ark.-Pine Bluff, 7 p.m.*
Southern at Prairie View A&M, 7 p.m.*

Friday, October 16
Alabama State vs. Fort Valley State, 3 p.m.
Kentucky State at Alabama A&M, 3 p.m.
Belhaven College at Alcorn State, 7 p.m.
Miss. Valley State at Jackson State, 7 p.m.*
Southern at Texas Southern, 7:30 p.m.*

Saturday, October 17
Ark.-Pine Bluff vs. Fort Valley State, 10 a.m.
Alabama State vs. Kentucky State, 11:30 a.m.
Ark.-Pine Bluff at Alabama A&M, 4 p.m.

Monday, October 19
Ark.-Pine Bluff at Miss. Valley State, 6 p.m.
Alabama A&M at Alcorn State, 7 p.m.*
Southern at Grambling State, 7 p.m.*

Tuesday, October 20 Alabama State at Savannah State, 6 p.m.
Houston Baptist at Texas Southern, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, October 21
Prairie View A&M at Grambling State, 6 p.m.*
Southern at Jackson State, 7 p.m.