LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team begins Gulf South Conference play Friday night when the Tigers welcome Mississippi Christian to Pruitt Hall for a 6 p.m. first serve.
West Alabama enters its conference opener at 12-1 overall following a 3-0 sweep of Stillman College on Monday. The victory extended UWA's streak to a school-record 22 consecutive sets won as the Tigers continued one of the strongest starts in program history.
The Tigers have not dropped a set during their current run and have carried their momentum into the beginning of conference play behind a balanced attack, strong serving and contributions throughout the roster.
UWA's young players have also made an early impact across the conference. Redshirt freshman middle blocker
Duru Seber was named the GSC Freshman of the Week on Tuesday, giving West Alabama each of the league's first three Freshman of the Week honors this season.
Rachele Zanini earned the award in each of the opening two weeks before Seber received the Week 3 honor.
Seber highlighted her recent stretch with eight kills on 11 attacks without an error against Albany State, finishing with a .727 hitting percentage and two block assists.
Tigers Enter Conference Play on Historic Run
West Alabama's most recent victory came in convincing fashion against Stillman, with the Tigers earning set wins of 25-16, 25-13 and 25-11.
UWA hit .373 as a team with 39 kills while holding Stillman to a .062 hitting percentage. The Tigers also produced 11 service aces in the three-set victory.
Ola Winiarek led the offense with eight kills, eight digs and three aces while hitting .500.
Katerina Korre finished with seven kills and a .600 hitting percentage, while
Cadence Goeden added seven kills and hit .429.
Zanini directed the offense with 24 assists, while Bianca Stütz added seven assists after taking over setting duties in the third set.
Charlotte Kerscher contributed three service aces, while
Raven Grant added two.
West Alabama's third-set performance capped the historic night, as the Tigers hit .500 with just one attack error to secure their 22nd consecutive set victory.
Scouting Mississippi Christian
Mississippi Christian comes to Livingston after splitting a pair of home matches against USC Aiken and Augusta.
The Choctaws battled USC Aiken through five sets Friday before falling 3-2. Mississippi Christian won the opening set 25-18 and forced a deciding fifth with a 25-21 victory in the fourth. The Choctaws held a 13-11 advantage in the fifth before USC Aiken scored the final four points for a 15-13 victory.
Meg Paparella totaled 11 kills, 12 digs, two service aces and three solo blocks in the match, while Mary Grace Foster led Mississippi Christian with 12 kills. Samarin Kipple collected 28 digs, and Mamie Fromdahl distributed 21 assists.
The Choctaws responded Saturday with a 3-0 sweep of Augusta, winning 25-18, 25-22 and 25-15.
Mississippi Christian finished the match with 35 kills and a .229 hitting percentage while limiting Augusta to 20 kills and a -.030 hitting percentage.
Paparella again led the Choctaws, putting down 13 kills while hitting .500 and adding two aces and five digs. Kipple recorded 14 digs, while Reese Regner finished with 13 assists, two aces and five digs. Fromdahl added 10 assists and nine digs.
Paparella has been a central part of the Mississippi Christian attack entering Friday's conference matchup, combining for 24 kills across the Choctaws' two most recent matches.
Series History
Friday's meeting continues one of West Alabama's closest all-time series. The Tigers hold a narrow 17-16 advantage over Mississippi Christian entering the conference opener.
With only one match separating the programs in the all-time series, Friday's contest will mark the 34th meeting between West Alabama and Mississippi Christian.
Match Information
Mississippi Christian at West Alabama
Friday, Sept. 18 | 6 p.m.
Pruitt Hall | Livingston, Ala.
Gulf South Conference Opener
West Alabama will look to extend its school-record run and open conference play with a victory when the Tigers and Choctaws meet Friday night in Livingston.
