Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Connecticut
Volleyball Set to Host UConn and Rutgers in McGonigle Hall for Homecoming Weekend
10.15.13 | Women's Volleyball
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PHILADELPHIA - On the two days surrounding Temple's Homecoming football game against Army, Owl fans can catch one of the hottest American Athletic Conference volleyball teams in action as Temple (13-4, 4-1) hosts Connecticut on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m., and Rutgers on Sunday, Oct. 20 at 1:00 p.m. The Owls have won three straight matches and are currently tied for second in the league standings.
With a 13-4 record overall, the Owls are also tied with UCF for the most overall wins among the 10 conference teams. Temple has won three straight matches, and these two will be the last in a five-match homestand.
The Owls won both of last weekend's matches by scores of 3-1, over Houston and SMU, teams that are both in the top five in the conference. The week prior, Temple earned a 3-0 sweep of Memphis in the Owls' American home opener.
Senior Gabriella Matautia leads the Owls with 3.59 kills/set (second in the American) and 4.21 points/set (first in the American). Matautia is also third on the team in digs with 2.67 digs/set. Sophomore setter Sandra Sydlik leads the Owls with 510 assists (9.44 assists/set) and ranks second with 2.78 digs/set.
Sophomore libero Alyssa Drachslin is the team leader in digs with 4.23 digs/set. Junior middle blocker Jennifer Iacobini leads the team in total blocks with 59, and also leads the team with 19 service aces which ranks fifth in the conference (0.33 aces/set).
FRESHMEN MAKING AN IMPACT
Four freshmen have had a significant impact on the Owls' success so far this season. Caroline Grattan and Tyler Davis average 2.53 kills/set and 2.15 kills/set, respectively, to rank in the top four on the team. Kirsten Overton and Halle McCullough have only recently been a more regular part of the lineup, but their presence at the net has been a strong one, as they have totaled 21 and 20 blocks, respectively.
Grattan was named this week's Under Armour OwlSports.com Athlete of the Week, and was also named to the American Athletic Conference Weekly Honor Roll after strong performances in both of Temple's wins last weekend.
EARLY SEASON HONORS
Gabriella Matautia and Sandra Sydlik both earned a number of honors during the early part of the season. Both were named to the All-Tournament Team at the Temple Invitational on Sept. 20-21. The duo were also named to the All-Tournament Team at the University at Buffalo Invite, and the following week, Matautia was named MVP and Best Attacker at the George Mason Patriot Invitational, while Sydlik was named Best Setter. After being named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week on Sept. 9, Matautia went on to earn Most Valuable Opposite honors the next week at the Penn Invitational.
SCOUTING CONNECTICUT
The Huskies are 10-10 overall and 1-4 in conference play. UConn started out 0-4 in the American but won its most recent match 3-1 vs. Rutgers, while also defeating Sacred Heart in non-conference action last weekend by a score of 3-2. Four players average 2.00 or more kills per set for UConn, led by junior outside hitter Karson Ratliff with 2.97 kills/set. Sophomore middle blocker Erika Thomas is one to watch at the net, with 84 total blocks (1.06 blocks/set) to lead the team and rank fourth in the conference.
Temple is 3-2 all-time vs. Connecticut, but the teams have not faced each other since 2008 when the Huskies earned a 3-1 win at home.
SCOUTING RUTGERS
Heading into the weekend, Rutgers is 4-15 overall and 0-5 in the American Athletic Conference...The Scarlet Knights have won just once in their last 12 matches...Alex Lassa leads the team with 267 kills (3.56 kills/set) and is also second in digs with 207 (2.76 digs/set).
The Owls lead the all-time series against Rutgers, 26-13. The last meeting was on the Owls' home court in 2006, and resulted in a 3-0 win for Temple.
