Islanders Open Southland Tournament Friday Night

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball begins its quest for a third consecutive Southland Conference Tournament title on its home floor Friday night as the Islanders host Sam Houston State at 6:30 p.m.
 
PURCHASE TICKETS
 
The Islanders earned the No. 3 seed after battling injuries early in the season, but are red-hot heading into the tournament. Corpus Christi also has the added advantage of hosting the 2017 Southland Volleyball Championship, as the Islanders finished the regular season at 8-1 on their home floor.
 
THE W'S
 
Who: Islanders vs. Sam Houston State
When: 6:30 PM | Friday
Where: Dugan Wellness Center
Watch: Southland Digital Network

TAILGATE TIME

Islanders Athletics will host a pregame tailgate outside the Dugan Wellness Center beginning at 6 p.m. Fans can enjoy free pizza and music prior to cheering on the Islanders in the opening round.

 
ISLANDERS INSIGHT
 
>> The Blue and Green enters Friday's quarterfinals riding a five-match winning streak. The Islanders swept all five of those matches.
>> Corpus Christi swept Sam Houston State just eight days ago on this very court. Brittany Gilpin and Madison Green each had double-doubles.
>> Madison Woods provided 22 digs in the last meeting with the Bearkats. She was out with injury during the 3-2 loss at Sam Houston State earlier this season.
>> Over the past three seasons, the Islanders are 38-2 on their home floor.
>> During the five-match winning streak, the Islanders are hitting .279 while holding opponents to just .176.
>> The Islanders are averaging 20.47 digs per set during the streak, that number would rank first nationally.
 
SCOUTING SAM HOUSTON STATE
 
>> Jordyn Vaughn and Brooke White lead the Bearkats with a combined 760 kills on the year. Both average better than 3.4 per set.
>> Sam Houston State hits just .188 as a team on the season.
>> Vaughn led the Bearkats with 16 kills in the last meeting with the Islanders.
>> The Islanders and Bearkats met in last season's championship match, with the Blue and Green winning 3-1.
 
WHAT'S AT STAKE
 
The winner of Friday's match will advance to Saturday's semifinal at 2:30 p.m.