GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University men's volleyball team is in the midst of a six-match road swing, taking on three Georgia teams within a 24-hour span. Friday's (Jan. 21) two contests will be against Benedict (2 p.m.) at Fort Valley State and against the hosting Wildcats at 6 p.m. Saturday's (Jan. 22) match will be at Emmanuel, with a new starting time of 11 a.m.
RECAPPING THE WEEK
Tusculum (0-2) kicked off its season with a pair of tough opponents in North Greenville and historic Ball State. The Pioneers were able to snag a set from the Crusaders, but were swept by the Cardinals.
Jake Whyte and Dane Loup led TU with 16 and 11 kills, respectively, through the team's two matches. Colby Landry (9), Deklan Wingo (8), Shaphar Grant (7), and Shaun Kampshoff (7) have also contributed to the offensive category. Kampshoff is also hitting on a .462 percentage, while dishing out 45 assists as the Pioneer setter. He (3) and Landry are responsible for the team's service aces thus far.
Defensively, Loup leads the way with 17 digs, ahead of 10 by Landry. Wingo is credited with four total blocks (two solo, two assists), while Grant has notched one of each.
LOOKING AHEAD
Benedict (0-0) will take on the Pioneers in the program's first-ever match on Friday afternoon at Fort Valley State. The Tigers were one of the recipients of a grant from First Point Volleyball Foundation and USA Volleyball to support the growth of men's volleyball. The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) is the first historically black college and university (HBCU) to sponsor the spring sport, due in part to the initiative. The SIAC canceled the 2021 season due to COVID-19 concerns, thus competition will begin this year for its members.
Fort Valley State (0-1), Friday's host, fell to King in its inaugural match over the weekend. TU will serve as the visitor in the program's first-ever home match. The Wildcats are also members of the SIAC and benefitted from the start-up grant. Jaxson Hicks tallied a team-best eight kills, followed by six from Oshane Farguharson. Justin Yates dished out 22 assists, while three Wildcats are credited with a pair of block assists: Jordan Brown, Farguharson, and Hicks. Jae Henderson scooped up six digs.
Emmanuel (1-0) is TU's final Georgia opponent for the weekend. The Lions went five sets against Queens in their opener, withstanding the Royals comeback attempt. Jayden Young landed 19 kills on a .341 clip, ahead of 15 by Eli Zdonek and 13 from Carlos Guerrero. Henrik Westhoff tallied 50 assists and Daniel Beacham notched three aces. Harrison Coelho led the Emmauel blockers with three assists. Nicklas Eichenberger finished with a match-high 17 digs,while Zdonek and Guerrero completed their double-doubles with 15 and 11 digs, respectively.
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.
ATTENDANCE POLICIES
Fort Valley State is not admitting any fans.
Emmanuel is allowing fans at its athletic venues. Masks are encouraged but not required.
