NEW ORLEANS – The eighth and final week of Sun Belt volleyball action will feature 14 cross divisional matches as the teams conclude the regular season. All 14 matches will be broadcast on ESPN+.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- DESERVING DUKES – For just the second time since joining the league, James Madison captured the regular season crown with a pair of wins last weekend. The Dukes represent the league’s highest RPI team with a 13-1 record in league play. Since dropping the conference opener, the Dukes have won 13 straight and have put up an impressive 11-1 record at home. James Madison is 20-6 on the year, and led by outside hitter Kennedy Louisell, who continues to lead not only the conference, but the country in kills with 517. The Dukes will welcome the Bobcats from Texas State for a pair of matches to close out the regular season.
- INDIVIDUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS – James Madison’s Louisell also leads the league in kills per set at 5.02. App State’s Maya Winterhoff has led the league nearly all year in hitting percentage at .392. Georgia Southern’s Kirsten Barrett has separated herself running the Eagles offense with 922 assists and leads the league in assists per set at 10.13. Southern Miss’ Brynn Botkin leads the way in aces at 41. Arkansas State’s Daedrianna Cail has led in total blocks with 140 and recently took the lead in blocks per set at 1.46. Georgia State’s Marta Lazzarin leads the league in digs at 478 and digs per set at 5.20
- WINNING WAYS – Seven teams in the league enter the weekend on active win streaks, as James Madison leads the way with 13 consecutive victories. Texas State has won six in a row as Georgia State has won five in a row. Troy has won its last three matches as Louisiana swept the last weekend of divisional play. Both Arkansas State and Marshall won the last match of the series a week ago to enter the final week of the regular season on a single match win streak.
- RPI RANKINGS – Six Sun Belt programs rank inside the top 100 of the seventh RPI rankings that were released earlier in the week, as the league ranks seventh overall in conference RPI. It marks the third time the league has been mentioned six times in the top 100. James Madison continues to lead the way as the Dukes moved to No. 35. Arkansas State jumped up to No. 69 as Texas State was ranked at No. 75. App State (95), Coastal Carolina (96) and South Alabama (97) round out the grouping in the top 100. Joining the teams inside the top 140 were Georgia Southern (107), Georgia State (115) and Marshall (136).
WHERE TO WATCH
| Date |
Time |
Matchup |
Broadcast |
| Thurs. Nov. 13 |
5:00 p.m. |
Texas State at James Madison |
ESPN+ |
| Thurs. Nov. 13 |
5:00 p.m. |
Louisiana at Georgia Southern |
ESPN+ |
| Thurs. Nov. 13 |
6:00 p.m. |
Georgia State at ULM |
ESPN+ |
| Thurs. Nov. 13 |
6:00 p.m. |
Marshall at Southern Miss |
ESPN+ |
| Fri. Nov. 14 |
12:00 p.m. |
Georgia State at ULM |
ESPN+ |
| Fri. Nov. 14 |
5:00 p.m. |
Texas State at James Madison |
ESPN+ |
| Fri. Nov. 14 |
5:00 p.m. |
Troy at App State |
ESPN+ |
| Fri. Nov. 14 |
5:00 p.m. |
Louisiana at Georgia Southern |
ESPN+ |
| Fri. Nov. 14 |
6:00 p.m. |
South Alabama at Coastal Carolina |
ESPN+ |
| Fri. Nov. 14 |
6:00 p.m. |
Old Dominion at Arkansas State |
ESPN+ |
| Fri. Nov. 14 |
6:00 p.m. |
Marshall at Southern Miss |
ESPN+ |
| Sat. Nov. 15 |
12:00 p.m. |
Old Dominion at Arkansas State |
ESPN+ |
| Sat. Nov. 15 |
1:00 p.m. |
Troy at App State |
ESPN+ |
| Sat. Nov. 15 |
1:00 p.m. |
South Alabama at Coastal Carolina |
ESPN+ |
All Times CT