Enjoy a FREE BBQ at 5:30 p.m.; first 100 fans receive SoCon t-shirt

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Sept. 22, 2014) – After playing its first 14 matches on the road, the ETSU volleyball team gears up for its home and conference opener as the Bucs host Furman Tuesday night inside Brooks Gym. First serve is set for 7 p.m.

The Bucs have protected their home court over the past two seasons as ETSU has won 19 of its last 21 games inside Brooks Gym.

Prior to the match, The Well will be providing fans with free food, beginning at 5:30 p.m., in the Quad area outside of Brooks Gym. In addition, the first 100 fans receive a Southern Conference t-shirt.

LAST TIME OUT FOR THE BUCS        

ETSU (4-10) suffered three setbacks at the VCU Invitational last weekend as the Bucs fell to Ball State and Virginia in four sets and were swept by VCU.

Senior Meredith Hardy (Kingsport, Tenn.) was named to the all-tournament team after registering 25 kills, seven digs, five blocks and two service aces in three matches in Richmond.

Fellow senior Ivey Rice (Johnson City, Tenn.) led the Blue and Gold with 30 kills and tallied 27 digs at the VCU Invitational. Rice also earned her second double-double of the season after finishing with 15 kills and 11 digs against Virginia on Saturday.

ABOUT FURMAN

Furman has won six of its last seven matches and enters Tuesday’s conference opener with a record of 7-4.

As a team, the Paladins rank third in the Southern Conference in attack percentage (.211) and kills per set (12.32), while sophomore middle blocker Ashton Gregory leads the conference in blocks per set (1.16).

Five of Furman’s seven wins have come in five-set matches.

The Paladins were picked to finish second in the Preseason Socon Coaches’ Poll.

SERIES HISTORY

Tuesday marks the 49th all-time meeting between the two programs.

The all-time series is tied at 24, but the Bucs have won the last four meetings, including a three-set win last year in ETSU’s home opener.

Meredith Hardy broke ETSU’s solo blocks record for a three-set match in last year’s win as the preseason all-conference selection recorded seven against the Paladins. Katie Muey (Alexandria, Ind.) led all players with 20 digs, while ETSU out-hit Furman, .250-.110.

COVERAGE

Tuesday’s match will be video streamed live on the SoCon Digital Network, while live stats will be provided via StatBroadcast.

Twitter updates will also be available by following @ETSUAthletics and @ETSUVolleyball.

TEXTCASTER

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For more information on Buccaneer volleyball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the volleyball page.