Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Louisville
Volleyball Hosts Conference Leader Louisville on Friday in a White-Out Match; Cincinnati on Sunday
10.30.13 | Women's Volleyball
PHILADELPHIA - Tough competition awaits the Temple volleyball team this weekend, but the Owls are returning home where they are so far undefeated in the American Athletic Conference. Temple (15-6, 6-3) will host league leader Louisville (14-7, 9-0) on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m., and will play Cincinnati (1-22, 1-8) on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 1:00 p.m.
The first 300 fans to arrive at the match on Friday night will receive t-shirts courtesy of Dr. Heidi Grunwald and Kampus Clothes, as Temple looks to "white-out" McGonigle Gym. There will also be a Halloween Costume Contest, with prizes awarded for the top costumes.
Following Sunday's match, Temple will hold a clinic for any and all who wish to participate. Clinic participants under the age of 18 must fill out this form and have health insurance information with them - Parent/Guardian Minor Consent/Guest Form and Medical Release.
After having their five-match win streak snapped this past weekend with losses at UCF and USF, the Owls look to rebound at the friendly confines of McGonigle Hall. Temple's overall record at home this season is 7-1, and the Owls have not dropped a conference match at home. At 6-3 in the American, Temple currently stands in a three-way tie for third place with UCF and SMU. USF is just ahead of all three with a record of 7-2.
Senior Gabriella Matautia is coming off one of her strongest matches of the season, despite the losing result for Temple. She knocked down 19 kills and added 16 digs in the three-set match, and has a total of 283 kills for the season (3.63 kills/set) to lead the team and rank second in the American. For conference matches, Matautia is averaging 3.35 kills/set (104 total). Senior Elyse Burkert has played in every set of Temple's conference matches and ranks close behind Matautia with 87 kills in American contests (2.81 kills/set).Â
With 13 service aces in seven league matches, sophomore Sandra Sydlik leads the conference. She is also averaging 9.68 assists/set in American matches (fourth in the conference) along with 3.13 digs/set.
About Louisville...
Louisville completed its first run through the conference unbeaten at 9-0, dropping just four sets overall in nine conference matches. The Cardinals have just one loss since September 14, and they are also unbeaten at home.
About Cincinnati...
The Bearcats have struggled for wins this season, going just 1-22 overall and 1-8 in the American. Cincinnati recorded its first league and overall win last Sunday, defeating Rutgers. The Bearcats are an extremely young squad, with the majority of their team being underclassmen and mostly freshmen, but the team is just two years removed from a Big East title.
