JACKSONVILLE – For the first time all season, the Jacksonville State volleyball team will have the opportunity to spend more than a couple of days at home as the Gamecocks begin a five-game homestand this weekend.
JSU (12-17, 2-8 Ohio Valley Conference) welcomes the top team in the OVC to Pete Mathews Coliseum Friday evening when Murray State steps on the court. The Racers (19-2, 9-1 OVC) saw their program record 16-game win streak snapped last Saturday at conference foe Eastern Illinois.
Jax State is the youngest team in the conference with a roster comprised of nine freshmen and sophomores out of 12 players. On Friday, JSU meets the most experienced team in the league in defending conference champion, Murray State. The Racers regularly play a trio of seniors and three additional juniors. Overall, JSU's five freshmen have played in a combined 334 sets, while MSU's lone freshman has seen action in eight sets.
Saturday night, the Gamecocks face Austin Peay (6-19, 1-9 OVC). Fans are encouraged to come by following the homecoming football game on campus earlier in the day. JSU has won four-straight home matches against the Lady Govs, and will look to make it five in a row on Halloween.
Sophomores Charis Ludtke and Allyson Zuhlke lead the way offensively for JSU with 259 and 250 kills each, respectively. Senior Emily Rutherford is averaging a team-best 3.08 kills per set. The offense is directed by sophomore setter Jennifer Hart, who's averaging 9.53 assists per set.
The freshmen duo of Mackenzie Rombach and Kim Krutsinger anchor the defensive front. The two have combined for 117 blocks so far in 2015. Behind them, Sophomore Hannah Kirk leads with 365 digs for a 3.92 average. The Katy, Texas, native has been consistent all season on the back row and is one of only two Gamecocks to play in all 93 of JSU's total sets this season.
Despite a strong of injuries, the Gamecocks haven't wavered from their goal of reaching postseason play. This weekend will be key in maintaining a chance to reach the conference tournament. Currently, JSU sits just two games out from making the eight-team field. But games against teams just ahead in the standings, such as Southeast Missouri and Tennessee Tech, still remain of the schedule.
Friday and Saturday night's matches are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Admission is free to all JSU home volleyball matches. Live stats will be available here on JSUGamecockSports.com, while video of Friday's action will be provided by the OVC Digital Network.
