SETTING THE SCENE
Fresh off a 3-1 win over Lindenwood on Tuesday night in nonconference play, the UMSL volleyball team returns to GLVC play for a pair of games this weekend. The Tritons travel to Drury on Friday night and to Missouri S&T on Saturday. UMSL will also play Southern Arkansas on Saturday as part of a triangular hosted by the Miners.
 
SIZING UP THE TRITONS
UMSL improved to 6-7 overall with its win over Lindenwood and is 2-2 in the GLVC, sitting in a four-way tie for third place in the West Division standings. The Tritons are hitting .179 as a team and are led offensively by sophomore Gina Pezze (2.85 kills per set) and freshman Maddy Russell (2.73 kills per set). Russell also owns a team-high 12 service aces and adds 2.39 digs per set.
 
Defensively, senior Jessica Ploss averages 1.16 blocks per set, which ranks ninth in the GLVC, while junior Lexi Rogers averages 0.95 blocks per set and is coming off a career-best eight blocks in the win over Lindenwood. Freshman Alivia Brinker ranks seventh in the league with 4.97 digs per set, helping the Tritons to 17.48 per set, which ranks fourth in the GLVC.
 
Senior Lindsay Meyer helps direct the offense with 6.84 assists per set and has 2,995 career assists, needing five more to become the third player in program history to record her 3,000^th career assist. Meyer would also become just the second player in program history to reach 3,000 assists and 1,000 digs. Lisa Brinker (4,769 assists, 1,104 digs) is the only other player to do so.
 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Drury is 11-2 overall, including 3-1 in the GLVC, sitting in second place in the West Division. The Panthers are riding a four-game win streak and are 3-0 at home. They rank second in the GLVC, limiting opponents to .122 hitting and are third with 2.45 blocks per set and fourth with 68 service aces. BJ Specht is second in the league with 3.73 kills per set, while Brooke Antenen is seventh with 8.73 assists and 16 service aces.
 
UMSL earned a 3-2 win at home over the Panthers last season and is 17-10 all-time against Drury.
 
Missouri S&T will host Maryville Friday night with a 9-5 overall record, including a 2-2 mark in the GLVC, and have won three straight. Krista Haslag averages 3.10 kills and 1.37 blocks per set, while hitting .284. Jackie Pyles leads the back row with 5.10 digs per set.
 
Southern Arkansas hosts Harding on Thursday night before meeting the Tritons and are 7-7 overall. The Muleriders are led by Serena LeDuff's 3.51 kills and 15 service aces. As a team, Southern Arkansas has 94 service aces.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
UMSL returns home on Tuesday to host Maryville before traveling to Truman State and Quincy, next Friday and Saturday.