ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson volleyball team is set to open a brief two-match homestand by welcoming Emory & Henry to the Abney Athletic Center for the first time in school history on Friday, while UVA Wise will visit the Electric City for just the second time in program history, Saturday afternoon.
First-serve vs. the Wasps, Friday night is scheduled for 7 p.m., while first-serve for the Trojans and Cavaliers is slated for 2 p.m.
The Anderson Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has designated Friday and Saturday's contests as Make-A-Wish Days, with fans being encouraged to register online.
• Registering prior to the event will reserve your spot at the game for admission (at a reduced rate) and a free snack and beverage of your choice to help celebrate Make-A-Wish Day at Anderson University.
• All attendees with both home and visiting teams and fans in general are asked to register in advance for admission at a suggested amount of $7 per person which is discounted from the price for admission the day of event.
• Registering Online is Free for Anderson University Students and anyone who does not have the funding to be able to donate to the cause (Simply do not click on the additional donation button on the next screen).
• Everyone, however, is encouraged to donate to support Make-A-Wish and to attend events and help raise awareness for this great cause.
• Anyone not registered online for event, will be encouraged to purchase a ticket for admission the day of the game. ($10 Adults, $7 Seniors/Youth, Children 12 & Under & Anderson University Student ID Free). All funds still go to Make-A-Wish from day of ticket purchases.
WHO: Anderson Trojans (13-4, 7-3 SAC) vs. Emory & Henry Wasps (2-16, 2-8 SAC)
WHERE: Abney Athletic Center; Anderson, S.C.
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHO: Anderson Trojans (13-4, 7-3 SAC) vs. UVA Wise Cavaliers (4-10, 1-9 SAC)
WHERE: Abney Athletic Center; Anderson, S.C.
WHEN: Saturday, 2 p.m.
COVERAGE
Live Stats: AUTROJANS.COM
Video: AUTROJANS.COM (Pay-Per-View)
The Trojans
Anderson (13-4, 7-3 SAC) has won two straight decisions and four of its last five outings and with seven regular-season SAC contests remaining, the Trojans will be looking to build momentum for the stretch run. The Black and Gold is 7-1 at home this season and has posted a 57-8 (.877) home record over the past five-plus seasons.
With the senior duo of Liliana Kinder (3.25/set) and Noelle Knutsen (3.12/set) ranking fourth and fifth, respectively, the Trojans are third in the conference with a 13.33 kills per set average and are second in the league with a .250 hitting percentage.
AU has hit better than .300 in seven contests this season - Brantley Chipley is second in the SAC with a .429 attacking percentage, while Knutsen, who has hit at a .563 clip over the last two matches, stands fourth in the conference with a .388 hitting percentage. Jaelyn Grimm (.388) is eighth in hitting accuracy.
Behind Grimm's league-leading 1.19 blocks per set and with Knutsen ranking third (1.03 blk/set), AU is also second in the SAC with 2.35 blocks per set. Senior Madison Roy and junior Jenna Long have shared setting duties, with Roy pacing the conference at 10.52 assists per set and Long just behind at 9.80/set.
Emory & Henry
The Wasps (2-16, 2-8 SAC), who officially joined the league last July, were a preseason pick to finish 13th in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, after posting a 15-11 overall record last season, while playing a hybrid schedule with NCAA Division II, Division III, NAIA and USCAA opponents. E&H won its final seven matches of the year and nine of its last 10 on the way to its first winning season since 2016.
The Wasps returned nine players and six starters from last year's squad and welcomed eight new players including a pair of transfers. Senior Carley Williams earned Preseason Third-Team All-SAC accolades.
E&H is coming off a 3-0 (26-24, 25-22, 25-22) road win over UVA Wise and swept the regular season series with the Cavaliers.
The Series vs. Emory & Henry
Friday night's matchup will mark the first meeting in program history between the two schools.
UVA Wise
The Cavaliers, who are 4-10 overall and 1-9 in conference play heading into a Friday contest at Newberry, were a preseason pick to finish 12th in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, after posting a 4-22 overall record last season and finishing 13th in the SAC with an 0-18 mark.
UVA Wise opened the season with three straight wins, including two over Bluefield State, and captured its first conference victory since joining the league in 2019 with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-16) home win over Coker last Saturday.
The Series vs. UVA Wise
The Trojans and Cavaliers have met just four times in school history, with AU holding a 4-0 advantage in the overall series.
