Volleyball sweeps conference rival

Brady Fitch photo Kalina Calvillo spikes the ball during Troy’s match against ULM.

Troy’s volleyball team quickly dispatched its Sun Belt Conference rival ULM in consecutive 3-0 sweeps last weekend.

Troy’s offense was firing on all cylinders despite multiple injuries as they had their most efficient pair of hitting performances in Sun Belt play so far this season.

Tori Hester narrowed the gap between her and the program kills record set by Cheyenne Hayes to only 53 over the weekend as she extended her double-digit kill streak to 44 consecutive matches and tallied 30 kills during the pair of matches against ULM.

Freshman standout Kalina Calvillo hit a superb .440 over the weekend with 25 kills while also adding four blocks at the net.

“Kalina and Amiah really anchored us from the offensive side, back-to-back team effort wins for us,” head coach Josh Lauer said.

Amiah Butler tallied 20 kills over the weekend, including her 1,000th career kill in Friday’s match.

“She’s been very resilient and she’s a dynamic player, for her to hit that thousand kills mark is a cool personal achievement for her,” said Lauer.

Middle hitters Sydney Austin and Ella Broadhead clogged up the Warhawks hitting lanes as the Trojans out-blocked and outhit the Warhawks at the net.

Hester and defensive specialist Caroline Darracott helped Troy win the service battle as they both knocked in three aces over both matches.

Junior setter Janelle Stuempfig kept the Trojans offense running smoothly as she collected 65 assists during the homestand against the Warhawks.

Although both matches went 3-0 the way of the Trojans, Lauer felt the team showed promising improvement in the second match, especially with Sun Belt Tournament play right around the corner.

“Our service pressure was better on target and defensive intensity was much improved tonight,” said Lauer. “That starts with effort, and I thought we cranked it up a bit today and that was a good adjustment.

“I was really happy that we saw consistent offensive contribution spread out from everybody in back-to-back nights.”

Lauer and the Trojans will now set their sights on a crucial conference series versus the Southern Miss Golden Eagles, who sit just below the Trojans in the Sun Belt West standings.

Troy will square off against Southern Miss in Hattiesburg, Miss., at 6 p.m. on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 on ESPN+.