JACKSONVILLE – After consecutive weeks of road tests in Conference USA play, Jacksonville State volleyball returns home this weekend for a pair of important league matches. The Gamecocks will welcome Liberty to Pete Mathews Coliseum for contests starting at 6 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday.
Derek Schroeder's squad opened CUSA action at home in late September, downing Sam Houston twice in sweep fashion at The Pete. The last two weeks, however, they have faced conference favorites UTEP and Western Kentucky on the road, dropping each of those matchups in straight sets.
"Whenever you get to go to a Top 25 program and compete at that level with the team you're playing against, it's always fun," Schroeder said. "If you can't make it fun and goal-oriented towards what you're trying to accomplish, then you're probably not doing it right in the first place. We had a really good time at Western and a lot of volleyball people spoke very highly of my team, their effort, their tenacity, and their execution at the size we are.
"Our performance last weekend started with our back row players," Schroeder said. "They play with a tenacity that is unrivaled in a lot of programs we play against. I had a ton of compliments about our defense and how hard we went after every ball.
Kaylee Moseley played a little bit of middle blocker on Saturday and did a great job with that and
Maddie Stayer's play was a very bright spot for us on Sunday. The ESPN broadcaster on Saturday (Jessica Lucas) was a former All-American setter and she raved about
Ellie Garrett. I'm happy with all of that."
Despite two tough weekends away from home, several Gamecocks still rank among the top of the Conference USA statistically. Junior setter
Ellie Garrett is fifth in the league with 9.10 assists per set and
Clarke Adams is eighth in kills per set (2.91). Two Gamecocks-
Gracie Danziger (2.91, 9
th) and
Brooklyn Schiffli (2.82, 10
th)- rank in the top ten in digs per set as well. Now that the Red-and-White are back at the friendly confines, they will search for better luck against a familiar foe in the Flames.
Like Jax State, Liberty volleyball was a perennial power in the ASUN Conference but they have taken some lumps early in their CUSA era. The Flames opened the year on a seven-match winning streak against non-conference competition before dropping nine consecutive contests leading into league play. After getting some players back from injury, Trevor Johnson's team scored a four-set triumph against New Mexico State last Saturday and then dropped the series finale versus the Aggies at home on Sunday.
Numerous individuals have stood out for a veteran LU squad this Fall. 2022 ASUN Setter of the Year Delaney Dilfer is back in Lynchburg, Va., and ranks third in the conference in assists (626) and assists per set (9.63). 6-foot-2 middle blocker Madison Blane is second in blocks per set (1.27) and third in hitting percentage (.402) while both Kamryn Bacus (3.72, 2
nd) and Kate Phillips (2.92, 7
th) are among the league's kills per set leaders.
"Right now, we're working on what our offense can do to make their defense uncomfortable and what our defense can do to make their offense uncomfortable," Schroeder said. "I have some ideas moving forward and we'll start pushing on it today in practice. We'll see what we can do on our home court. If we can get a match turned our style, then we might be able to steal one."
Jacksonville State is undefeated all-time versus Liberty. The Gamecocks swept the Flames in the 2021 ASUN Crossover in Jacksonville, Fla., then tallied a five-set win at Liberty Arena last Fall. LU will make its first ever trip to Jacksonville, Ala., for this weekend's showdowns.
Fans unable to attend can stream both matches on ESPN+. Links to watch or follow along with live stats will be provided at JaxStateSports.com. In addition, score updates will be posted on Jax State Volleyball's X account (@JaxStateVB).
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their X (@JaxStateVB), Instagram (@JaxStateVB), and Facebook (Jacksonville State Volleyball) accounts.
