Georgia Hosts LSU in Final Series of 2021

Georgia (11-16, 7-9)
vs. LSU (12-13, 8-8)
Dates: Friday, Nov. 26-Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021
First Serve: 2 p.m., ET (both matches)
Location: Athens, Ga.
Arena: Stegeman Coliseum
     Admission: FREE (no tickets required)

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

First Serve
Georgia volleyball will close the 2021 season this week when LSU comes to Athens for two matches. The Bulldogs and Tigers open the series Friday at 2 p.m. at Stegeman Coliseum. Saturday's season finale will also begin at 2 p.m. with Senior Day ceremonies before first serve.

Follow the Bulldogs
» Both matches against LSU will stream live on SEC Network+. Dave Weinstein (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. LSU
» Friday, Nov. 26, 2 p.m.
     - Black Friday - Prizes will be given out throughout the match
» Saturday, Nov. 27, 12 p.m.
     - Senior Day - Seniors will be recognized prior to the match
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.

Thank you, Seniors!
A quartet of Georgia volleyball seniors will be honored prior to Saturday's season finale as they will play their final match in a Bulldog uniform. Defensive specialist Claire Rothenberger, setter Dalaney Hans, and opposites Kayla Rivera and Mallory Hernandez all be honored for outstanding careers at UGA.

BULLDOGS BULLETIN
Series History
- Georgia trails the all-time series against LSU 24-39
- In Athens, Georgia is 13-16 in the series against the Tigers
- In six meetings under Tom Black, the Bulldogs and Tigers are even 3-3
- The five-set win over LSU in 2017 snapped a five-match losing streak
- Georgia has won the last two meetings at Stegeman

Bulldogs Announce Addition of Three to 2022 Roster
Georgia volleyball announced the addition of three student-athletes to the 2022 roster on Monday. The recruiting class includes libero/outside hitter Ana Julia Bleeker, opposite Tori Harper, and outside hitter Estelle Haugen. "This is a great recruiting class for our program both on and off the court," Tom Black said. "As volleyball players, they have excelled at the highest levels of club and high school. They have done great in the classroom, and they want to come to UGA for the right reasons: to compete at the highest level, earn an incredible degree, and help build UGA volleyball into a nationally elite program. We cannot wait to get started with these three. They are special group of young women."

Let's Recap
Georgia split a road series at Ole Miss a week ago. The Rebels bested the Bulldogs in four sets to open the series. Georgia responded by going ahead 2-1 on the Rebels in Friday's match, holding on to defeat Ole Miss in a five-set battle. Junior Kacie Evans tallied 35 kills in the series, hitting .247 across the pair of matches. Freshman libero Bailey Cox registered 40 digs (4.33/set) including putting up a season-best 23 in Friday's match.

Looking to End on a High Note
Georgia enters the final series of the season having won six of its last nine matches, beginning with the sweep of Auburn on Oct. 22. The Bulldogs concluded the 2020-21 season similarly, winning four of its final seven matches and three of the final four.

Coming Out Strong
This season, Georgia has come out of the gate strong, winning the opening set in 18-of-27 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 second in the SEC with 152 total services aces this season and with 1.45 aces per set. Individually, junior Amber Stivrins leads the SEC with 43 total and ranks second with 0.42 aces per set.

Blocking Steadily Improving
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 115 total blocks and ninth with 1.12 blocks per set. Georgia's 236.5 team blocks is seventh in the league.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Phoebe Awoleye

Bailey Cox

Kacie Evans

Dalaney Hans

Mallory Hernandez

Kayla Rivera

Claire Rothenberger

Amber Stivrins