MATCHUPS
Teams: ULM (3-10)
Nicholls State (4-7)
Kennesaw State (2-8)
Jacksonville State (7-6)
Evansville (2-7)
Location: Jacksonville, Ala.
Times:
Saturday, Sept. 16
ULM vs. Nicholls State, 11:30 p.m.
ULM vs. Evansville, 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 17
ULM vs. Kennesaw State, 2:00 p.m.
ULM vs. Jacksonville State, 7:00 p.m.
Monroe, La. – The ULM volleyball team will close out its non-conference schedule at the Gamecock Invitational with four total matchups across Friday and Saturday in Jacksonville, Alabama.
NOTEABLES
-The ULM volleyball team will enter the invitational with a record of 3-10. Earlier in the week, the Warhawks opened their home schedule against Southern Miss. After a tough loss to Southern Miss, the team looks to bounce back this weekend in preparation for Sun Belt Conference play.
-Nicholls State will open play in the Gamecock Invitational with a record of 4-7. The Colonels come off three losses at the Best Western Osprey Invitational where the team played North Florida, Florida International and Mercer. ULM holds a deep history against Nicholls, as the teams have played against each other since 1983. Nicholls leads the all-time record of 27-8. The last time the ULM defeated Nicholls was in 2005 in a five set match on the Warhawks home court. ULM, however, is one win short of evening the record on a neutral court (3-4).
-Evansville comes to the invitational with an overall record of 2-7. The Purple Aces will enter play off of one of the teams two wins on the season with a 3-2 win over Kent State. The team posted a 1-2 weekend at the Dunn Hospitality Tournament. This match will be the first time in history that ULM and Evansville have played against each other.
-Kennesaw State will enter the tournament with an overall record of 2-8. The Owls will enter tournament play off of a 3-1 win over Georgia State. The team went 1-2 over the weekend at the Georgia Challenge. ULM and Kennesaw State have only met each other once before, in 2012, as the Owls took a 3-1 victory over the Warhawks on a neutral court.
-The host team Jacksonville State enter the invitational with an overall record of 7-6. The Gamecocks are coming off of a four game win streak after a win over Alcorn State and a 4-0 run at the Jax State Invitational with wins over Jackson State, New Orleans, Mississippi Valley State and UAB. ULM has only faced the Gamecocks in two previous matches. The first match in 1998 and the second in 2015. Both matches ended in three set victories for the Warhawks on both neutral and home courts.
FROM COACH HILTZ
About the weekend: The goal this weekend is to find our tempo and rhythm again. Once we do that, the goal will be to maintain that level of play. We've been sporadic at best with our consistency on the court and this weekend will provide an opportunity for us to figure out what we need to do in order to play consistent, steady volleyball. With Sun Belt play starting up next week at home, the time is now for us to be hitting our stride. Divisional play in conference this year makes every game that much more important. It's vital we get off to a good start next weekend at home.
About Nicholls State: Nicholls should be fun. They're playing well so far this year. Obviously it means a bit more to me since I was there briefly. The Colonels will present a tough but good challenge for us similar to what we've faced a few times already this season. They have some balance but their offense is going to go through their senior outside. If we can minimize her effectiveness we should be in good shape.
About Evansville: I don't know much about Evansville. I will watch them as much as I can tonight and tomorrow so as to have an idea but ultimately (like the rest of the weekend) we will be focused on our side of the net.
About Kennesaw State: Kennesaw is very good. Beatable but good. We will have to be on point in all aspects of our game if we want to come away with a win there. It will be very similar, I think, to what we will see in conference play coming up next weekend.
About Jacksonville State: Jacksonville State is becoming a rivalry game in that Terry is the best friend I have in coaching and our players have gotten to know each other well over the past two seasons. Anytime you are competing against friends and people you know, it raises the level of play for everyone involved. Our matches against Jacksonville State are always fun and closely contested. I'm looking forward to Saturday night.
UP NEXT
After the weekend the Warhawks will return home to open up Sun Belt Conference play against Georgia Southern Sept. 23, followed the by Georgia State Sept. 24.
