Temple University Athletics
Temple University
Houston (Dig Pink)
Volleyball Hosts Houston for "Dig Pink" Night on Friday; Owls Host SMU on Sunday
10.9.13 | Women's Volleyball
Live Stats l Live Streams l Game Notes (Houston)
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple volleyball team will host a pair of American Athletic Conference matches this weekend, as the Owls take on Houston for "Dig Pink" night on Friday, Oct. 11 at 7:00 p.m., and then face SMU on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 1:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear pink on Friday night in honor of breast cancer awareness
OWLS SUPPORT BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WITH THEIR ANNUAL "DIG PINK" GAME
Friday's match is designated as Temple's "Dig Pink" match, and the Owls have been working to raise money for the Side-Out Foundation. The purpose of the event is to raise breast cancer awareness and to raise funds for breast cancer research. The Owls' "Dig Pink" event is coordinated with hundreds of other events across the nation through the Side-Out Foundation, whose mission is to raise funding for breast cancer research through high school and collegiate girls' volleyball events.
TEMPLE GOING STRONG AT 11-4 OVERALL; 2-1 IN THE AMERICAN
The Owls have won two of their first three American Athletic Conference matches, losing only to preseason favorite Louisville so far. Most recently, Temple earned a 3-0 sweep of Memphis in the Owls' only match last week.
Senior Gabriella Matautia leads the Owls with 3.69 kills/set (second in the American) and 4.22 points/set (first in the American). Matautia is also tied for second on the team in digs with 2.74 digs/set along with sophomore setter Sandra Sydlik. Sophomore libero Alyssa Drachslin is the team leader in digs with 4.11 digs/set. Junior middle blocker Jennifer Iacobini leads the team in total blocks with 48, and also leads the team with 18 service aces which ranks fourth in the conference (0.33 aces/set).
SCOUTING HOUSTON
The Cougars are 10-8 overall and tied for third in conference play at 3-1. Houston won its first three league games before falling 3-0 to Louisville in its most recent match on Oct. 6. To start the season, Houston went 7-1 before dropping six straight matches. The Cougars are led by Sarita Mikals with 3.48 kills/set and 2.35 digs/set, while three other players also average over 2.00 kills/set. Temple and Houston have met only once before, back in 1999, with the Cougars winning, 3-2.
SCOUTING SMU
Heading into the weekend, Southern Methodist is 11-6 overall and 3-1 in conference action. SMU's only loss so far is to conference leader Louisville. Junior outside hitter Caroline Young leads the Mustangs with 3.48 kills/set, while senior middle blocker Maddie Lozano is the team leader with 1.13 blocks/set along with 2.28 kills/set. Temple and SMU have met once before, in the 2002 season with Temple winning that match, 3-2.
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 2.47 kills/set and 2.25 kills/set, respectively, to rank in the top four on the team. Halle McCullough and Kirsten Overton 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 20 and 15 blocks, respectively.
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.
