Bulldogs Battle No. 23 Georgia Tech: Final Non-Conference Showdown

Georgia Volleyball Faces Georgia Tech

On Friday, September 19, Georgia’s volleyball team (7-2) will take on Georgia Tech (5-3) in Atlanta. The match starts at 7 p.m. at McCamish Pavilion. It’s an exciting in-state rivalry, and it wraps up Georgia’s non-conference games for the season.

Fans can catch the action live on ACC Network Extra, with Andy Demetra handling play-by-play and Kele Eveland providing analysis. For live stats, check out GeorgiaDogs.com, and follow @UGAvolleyball on Twitter for updates all season long.

Understanding the Rivalry

Georgia currently leads the series against Georgia Tech 25-20, but the Yellow Jackets have had the upper hand lately, winning 20 of the last 25 meetings since 1999. This rivalry dates back to 1980, with Georgia winning the first 20 contests. Under current head coach Tom Black, Georgia has managed to win against Georgia Tech three times, showing some promise in recent matchups.

Looking Ahead

Next week, Georgia will dive into SEC play, facing ranked opponents. On September 24, they will meet No. 24 Tennessee, followed by a match against No. 6 Kentucky on September 26, marking a challenging beginning to their conference season.

Spotlight on Players

Redshirt-sophomore libero Makena Lim had a standout game against Presbyterian on September 12, achieving a career-high of 24 digs. This performance is notable as it ties for the second-most digs ever in a three-set match at Georgia. Not only did Lim excel defensively, but she also tallied 12 assists, marking her first career double-double and making her the first libero in Tom Black’s era to achieve this.

Meanwhile, redshirt-junior Tori Harper earned recognition as the SEC Defensive Player of the Week on September 8. She averaged 2.10 blocks per set during the Classic City Clash, tying her career-high with eight blocks in games against Texas Tech and Duke. Her defensive skills have made an impact, with her block stats placing her in the top records for both fourth-set and three-set matches at Georgia.

Strong Start for the Bulldogs

Georgia’s impressive 5-0 start mirrors their performance from 2022, where they also began with five straight wins. A sixth win would tie their best start since 2018.

Rising Stars

Bianna Muoneke has been named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for her outstanding play during the opening weekend. She averaged 5.00 kills per set and maintained a strong hitting percentage, showcasing her offensive prowess.

Additionally, Tori Harper has been nominated for the Allstate NACDA Good Works Team, reflecting her dedication both on and off the court.

Looking to the Future

Tom Black enters his ninth season at the helm, having led the team to 131 wins and three NCAA Tournament appearances. His experience shapes the team, along with consistent support from his staff, including assistant coach Aaron Benning.

With an exciting match against Georgia Tech on the horizon and a challenging SEC schedule ahead, Georgia Volleyball is primed for a thrilling season.

For more insights on collegiate sports, check out resources like NCAA’s official site or ESPN for updated statistics and rankings.

Source link