Friday, September 22
Miami, FL
5 p.m.
Louisiana Tech University
at
FIU
Photo by: Darrell James
Preview: LA Tech at FIU
9/21/2023 3:43:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
RUSTON – The Louisiana Tech volleyball team opens Conference USA play against Florida International on Friday at 5 p.m. CT in the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
MATCH INFORMATION
Date/Time: Friday-Saturday, Sept. 22-23 | 5 p.m. CT, noon CT
Location: Ocean Bank Convocation Center (Miami, Fla.)
Stream: Friday: ESPN+
Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Series: FIU leads 10-7
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amber McCray
"The exciting part about opening conference play is it means it's a blank slate for everyone. All nine teams are 0-0, and with this fresh start comes a chance for us to continue to grow and find our consistency that will help us win matches. We had moments all through preseason where everything was clicking and we looked really solid, so now is a new opportunity to find and maintain that rhythm. We know when we do, we have a legitimate chance to compete with anyone starting this weekend with FIU."
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (5-7)
LA Tech is looking to get back in the win column after finishing the Battle for the Boot with a 1-2 record. The Bulldogs defeated Southern 3-1 to open the tournament before losing to Northwestern and Southeastern 0-3.
Ashley Taylor earned All-Tournament for the second week after collecting 22 kills and 12 blocks over the weekend. The senior finished with a .296 hitting percentage. Taylor is fourth in the conference with 46 total blocks and fifth with 1.02 blocks per set.
Tech has been one of the top teams in the country, ranking in the top 20 in four distinct categories. The Bulldogs rank 12thg in digs per set at 17.13, 14th in aces per set at 2.13, 16th in total aces with 96, and 17th in total digs at 771.
The Bulldogs are in the top-3 in CUSA in seven categories: aces per set (1st), digs per set (1st), opponent hitting percentage (1st, .157), total aces (1st), attacks per set (2nd, 36.33), total digs (2nd), and total attacks (3rd,1,635).
ABOUT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (4-9)
FIU enters the contest having lost to Indiana 3-0 after beating Stetson 3-1 and Jacksonville 3-0 when the Panthers hosted the 305 Challenge.
Jade Sadeiko and Mackenzie Morgan lead the Panthers with over 100 kills apiece. Saeiko is eighth in CUSA at 3.02 kills per set and 133 kills, while Morgan has 106 kills on the season. Savannah Cook has 217 assists for a 9.43 average per set, good for third in the conference, and Gianna Tagoa'i has 176 assists for a 7.65 average.
Mandi Morioka and Amber Beals defensively lead the Panthers with 129 and 123 digs, respectively. Travel Morris is sixth in the conference with 45 blocks.
THE SERIES
The Bulldogs and Panthers have met 17 times on the court, with FIU holding a 10-7 advantage. Tech has won the previous two meetings by identical 3-1 scores. The last time the Bulldogs got a win in Miami was a 3-0 sweep in 1998.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in LA Tech Volleyball, follow them on Twitter (@LATechVB), Instagram (@LATechVB), and Facebook (LATechVolleyball).
MATCH INFORMATION
Date/Time: Friday-Saturday, Sept. 22-23 | 5 p.m. CT, noon CT
Location: Ocean Bank Convocation Center (Miami, Fla.)
Stream: Friday: ESPN+
Stats: LATechSports.com/Stats
Series: FIU leads 10-7
QUOTABLES
Head coach Amber McCray
"The exciting part about opening conference play is it means it's a blank slate for everyone. All nine teams are 0-0, and with this fresh start comes a chance for us to continue to grow and find our consistency that will help us win matches. We had moments all through preseason where everything was clicking and we looked really solid, so now is a new opportunity to find and maintain that rhythm. We know when we do, we have a legitimate chance to compete with anyone starting this weekend with FIU."
ABOUT LOUISIANA TECH (5-7)
LA Tech is looking to get back in the win column after finishing the Battle for the Boot with a 1-2 record. The Bulldogs defeated Southern 3-1 to open the tournament before losing to Northwestern and Southeastern 0-3.
Ashley Taylor earned All-Tournament for the second week after collecting 22 kills and 12 blocks over the weekend. The senior finished with a .296 hitting percentage. Taylor is fourth in the conference with 46 total blocks and fifth with 1.02 blocks per set.
Tech has been one of the top teams in the country, ranking in the top 20 in four distinct categories. The Bulldogs rank 12thg in digs per set at 17.13, 14th in aces per set at 2.13, 16th in total aces with 96, and 17th in total digs at 771.
The Bulldogs are in the top-3 in CUSA in seven categories: aces per set (1st), digs per set (1st), opponent hitting percentage (1st, .157), total aces (1st), attacks per set (2nd, 36.33), total digs (2nd), and total attacks (3rd,1,635).
ABOUT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL (4-9)
FIU enters the contest having lost to Indiana 3-0 after beating Stetson 3-1 and Jacksonville 3-0 when the Panthers hosted the 305 Challenge.
Jade Sadeiko and Mackenzie Morgan lead the Panthers with over 100 kills apiece. Saeiko is eighth in CUSA at 3.02 kills per set and 133 kills, while Morgan has 106 kills on the season. Savannah Cook has 217 assists for a 9.43 average per set, good for third in the conference, and Gianna Tagoa'i has 176 assists for a 7.65 average.
Mandi Morioka and Amber Beals defensively lead the Panthers with 129 and 123 digs, respectively. Travel Morris is sixth in the conference with 45 blocks.
THE SERIES
The Bulldogs and Panthers have met 17 times on the court, with FIU holding a 10-7 advantage. Tech has won the previous two meetings by identical 3-1 scores. The last time the Bulldogs got a win in Miami was a 3-0 sweep in 1998.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For all the latest in LA Tech Volleyball, follow them on Twitter (@LATechVB), Instagram (@LATechVB), and Facebook (LATechVolleyball).
Players Mentioned
MB
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