Georgia Welcomes Auburn for Two-Match Series Beginning Thursday

Georgia (5-12, 1-5)
vs. Auburn (11-7, 3-5)
Dates: Thursday, Oct. 21; Friday, Oct. 22, 2021
First Serve: 7 p.m. (both matches)
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 continues its homestand this week with a pair of matches against the Auburn Tigers at Stegeman Coliseum. The Bulldogs and Tigers face off Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. each night.

The matches originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday were moved due to unforeseen campus-wide internet maintenance.

Follow the Bulldogs
» Both matches will be streamed live via SEC Network+. Kaleb Frady (play-by-play) and Nikki Chester (analysis) will be on the call for Friday's match.
» 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. Auburn
» Thursday, Oct. 21
     - First 250 students receive a t-shirt and food
» Friday, Oct. 22 - 2000's Night
     - First 250 students receive a free 2000's themed t-shirt and food
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.

BULLDOGS BULLETIN
Series History
- Georgia leads the all-time series against Auburn 37-19
- In Athens, the Bulldogs lead the series 16-9
- In four meetings under Tom Black, the Bulldogs are 2-2, both wins coming on the road at Auburn Arena
- Georgia has won four of the last 10 meetings; Georgia did not play Auburn in 2020

A Look at What's Ahead
The Bulldogs' longest homestand of the season will conclude against Mississippi State on Wednesday, Oct. 27. First serve of the midweek matchup is slated for 7 p.m. October will come to a close with a pair of matches at Alabama Oct. 30 and 31 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Let's Recap
Georgia opened its home stand at Stegeman Coliseum last Friday against No. 21 Tennessee. The Bulldogs opened the match with a 25-22 set one victory but ultimately fell in four sets. Amber Stivrins paced the Bulldogs' offense with 16 kills on the night. Tennessee was Georgia's fifth ranked opponent this season.

Coming Out Strong
This season, Georgia has come out of the gate strong, winning the opening set in 13-of-17 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 96 total services aces this season and sixth with 1.41 aces per set. Individually, junior Amber Stivrins ranks third in the SEC with 28 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 seventh in the SEC with 72 total blocks and is just outside the top 10 with 1.06 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 Welcomes Auburn for Two-Match Series Beginning Thursday

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Players Mentioned

Phoebe Awoleye

Clara Brower

Abby Maesch

Lyric Stewart

Amber Stivrins