Georgia Hosts No. 21 Tennessee in Pink Match Friday

Georgia (5-11, 1-4)
vs. #21 Tennessee (14-3, 6-1)
Date: Friday, Oct. 15, 2021
First Serve: 7 p.m.
Location: Athens, Ga.
Arena: Stegeman Coliseum
     Admission: FREE (no tickets required)

Media Information
Streaming: SEC Network+
   Play-by-play: Kaleb Frady
   Analysis: Nikki Chester
Live Stats: GeorgiaDogs.com
Twitter: @UGAvolleyball

First Serve
Georgia volleyball returns to Stegeman Coliseum to open a four-match homestand, the longest of the season, this Friday when No. 21 Tennessee comes to Athens. First serve of the annual pink match between the Bulldogs and Lady Vols is set for 7 p.m.

Follow the Bulldogs
» Friday's match will be streamed live via SEC Network+. Kaleb Frady (play-by-play) and Nikki Chester (analysis) will be on the call.
» Live stat links can be found on the volleyball schedule on GeorgiaDogs.com.
» Twitter updates will be available all season long on the official Twitter page of the Bulldogs, @UGAvolleyball.

Upcoming Promotions and Fan Information at Stegeman
Upcoming Promotions - vs. Tennessee
» Pink Match
     - First 250 fans will receive a free pink t-shirt
     - Survivors will be recognized
Fan Information
» Admission is FREE to all regular-season home volleyball matches.
» The SEC Clear Bag Policy will be in effect.
» New core concessions prices include:
     - $2.50 – Jumbo hot dogs, 20 oz. bottle and fountain sodas
     - $2.00 – 20 oz bottle Dasani, candy, popcorn tub
» All concessions and merchandise transactions are cashless/contactless.
     - Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are accepted.

Auburn Series in Athens Adjusted
Due to the unforeseen campus-wide internet maintenance at the University of Georgia, the Auburn at Georgia volleyball matches initially scheduled for October 22 and 23 have been moved to Thursday, October 21 and Friday, October 22 at Georgia. First serve of both matches has will be at 7 p.m., ET, at Stegeman Coliseum.

BULLDOGS BULLETIN
Series History
- Georgia trails the all-time series against Tennessee 31-44
- In Athens, the series is tied at 16-16
- Under Tom Black, Georgia is 4-3 against Tennessee
- The Bulldogs and Lady Vols split the season series last season in Knoxville. The season prior, Georgia won both ends of the home-and-home series.

A Look at What's Ahead
Georgia will play host to the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum for a pair of matches next Thursday and Friday, Oct. 21-22. First serve is set for 7 p.m. for both matches. The Bulldogs' longest homestand of the season will conclude against Mississippi State on Wednesday, Oct. 27.

Let's Recap
Georgia finished its road swing with a pair of matches at Texas A&M last week. The Bulldogs earned their first SEC victory of the season with a sweep of the Aggies in Thursday's match. Georgia came out strong in the second match, taking the opening set. After Texas A&M tied it up after the second set, the Aggies captured a 29-27 win in set three to take the match lead. Georgia evened the match in the fourth, but ultimately fell 17-15 in set five to split the series. Kayla Rivera had a career night, registering career bests 15 kills and 18 digs for her first career double-double. Senior setter Dalaney Hans dished out a career-best 51 assists with 16 digs and Sage Naves put up a career-high nine blocks.

Coming Out Strong
This season, Georgia has come out of the gate strong, winning the opening set in 12-of-16 matches. The Bulldogs have taken opening sets by an average of over five points.

Aces Wild
The Bulldogs have had a history of excellent serving under Tom Black and 2021 has been no exception. Georgia ranks fourth in the SEC with 91 total services aces this season and fifth with 1.42 aces per set. Individually, junior Amber Stivrins ranks third in the SEC with 26 total and 0.42 aces per set.

Blocking Improves in 2020-21
Georgia concluded the 2020-21 season ranked fourth in the SEC in blocking as a team, completing the campaign with 2.25 blocks per set. It was the highest finish in the category under Tom Black. SEC All-Freshman Team member Phoebe Awoleye finished top-five in the league with 1.05 blocks per set as a rookie.

This season, Awoleye is fifth in the SEC with 69 total blocks and is just outside the top 10 with 1.08 blocks per set.

Rookies Shine on Opening Weekend
Georgia saw four freshmen play in every set on opening weekend, three starting all 11 sets. Setter Clara Brower handed out 10.09 assists per set and ran an offense that hit .299 as a team. She also contributed 17 digs and seven blocks. Outside hitter turned middle blocker Lyric Stewart tallied 2.36 kills per set, hit .467 on the weekend, and led the team with 12 blocks. Outside hitter Abby Maesch led the team with 30 kills and 2.73 kills per set. Defensive specialist Bailey cox put up 18 digs (1.64 d/s) and laid down four service aces.

Bulldogs Set for Strong 2021 Slate of Matches
Eight opponents on Georgia's schedule appeared in the 2020 NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament, three of which played in the Elite Eight round. Six of Georgia's opponents concluded the season in the AVCA Top 25 including top-10 finishers Kentucky, Florida, and Nebraska.

Breaking Down the Roster
The Bulldogs' roster features 17 student-athletes with a mix of experienced and new talent. Overall, each position on the court comes with a significant amount of depth. The roster breaks down to five seniors, three juniors and sophomores each, and a total of six freshman, five of which are true freshmen. Position wise, the Bulldogs have a near perfect mix at each position. Georgia returns five starters plus its starting libero from last season.

Georgia Hosts No. 21 Tennessee in Pink Match Friday

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Players Mentioned

Phoebe Awoleye

Clara Brower

Dalaney Hans

Abby Maesch

Sage Powell

Kayla Rivera

Lyric Stewart

Amber Stivrins