THIS WEEK IN HUSKY VOLLEYBALL
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Washington hosts #20 USC, 4:30 pm
Alaska Airlines Arena
Live stream on B1G+ | Live Stats
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Washington hosts #9 Purdue, 4:30 pm
Alaska Airlines Arena
Live broadcast on Big Ten Network | Live Stats
SEATTLE — This week is a feast for Seattle volleyball fans as Washington wraps up the regular season with two top-25 showdowns at Alaska Airlines Arena. On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, UW takes on 20th-ranked USC at 4:30 p.m. Then after all the turkey, side dishes, pie, and Black Friday shopping, UW hosts 9th-ranked Purdue on Friday in another 4:30 p.m. start. Wednesday’s match will be live streamed on Big Ten Plus, while Friday’s match is nationally televised on Big Ten Network.
Friday’s match will be Washington’s Senior Night, where seven players will be honored in a pre-match ceremony. The Dawgs feature four seniors in their final years of eligibility: Lauren Bays, Madi Endsley, Kiune Fletcher, and Sophie Tulino. A trio of juniors who are seniors academically will also be honored on Friday, but could return next season. Those three are Emoni Bush, Audra Wilmes, and Molly Wilson.
The Huskies are hunting for a statement win, or two, to shore up their postseason tournament hopes. Washington (19-9, 9-9 Big Ten) couldn’t grab a dub on its last road trip out to the eastern time zone last week, but UW has won four of its past five home matches with the only loss to No. 2 Nebraska. The Huskies are ranked No. 36 in the national RPI this week, one of the key factors in NCAA tournament selections. Despite the losses, UW got leading attacker Kierstyn Barton back from injury last week, and she started and led the team with 11 kills at Penn State on Sunday.
The Trojans come in at 11-7 in Big Ten play and 19-9 overall. USC beat the Huskies in L.A. on Nov. 3, with the Huskies missing both Barton and Audra Wilmes in that match, and UW hit just .061. USC lost its last match at Purdue in three close sets. The Trojans rank eighth in conference play with a .235 attack percentage, and are holding teams to .192. They are tied for third in blocks per set at 2.69 but 17th in digs per set at 12.21. Mia Tuaniga is fifth in aces with 26 in league play, and posts 9.83 assists per set. Ally Batenhorst leads the attack with 3.80 kills per set. Leah Ford averages…
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