DIVISION LEADERS FACE OFF
The marquee match up for this weekend’s contests features The American’s East Division leader, East Carolina, hosting The American’s West Division leader, SMU. The Pirates are 9-4 in conference play this season, but are coming off a pair of losses, while the Mustangs are 12-1 in The American and have won eight straight matches. Opening serve is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+ in Greenville.
WEST TAKES CARE OF EAST
Last week was a battle of the West Division against the East Division with West division winning all but one match. The entire West Division enters this weekend on a winning streak, including UTSA (5) and SMU (8) both riding the longest winning streaks.
PUTNICKI’S WALL OF DEFENSE
UTSA freshman middle blocker Miranda Putnicki was a force at the net for the Roadrunners last week. The American Defensive Player of the Week averaged 2.33 blocks per set for UTSA and set rally-scoring program record with 12 blocks in the four-set win over Memphis.
DEFENSE POWERING RICE
The Rice Owls lead The American in opponent hitting percentage (.144), blocks per set (2.54) and digs per set (19.22). The opponent hitting percentage and digs per set would be set conference single-season records.
AMERICAN IN THE RPI
Four American schools are in the Top 100 of the NCAA RPI rankings as of October 29. SMU leads the way at 21, followed by Rice (40), Wichita State (61) and Tulsa (90).
SCHEDULE
Thursday, November 2
South Florida at Temple* (ESPN+)__ 4 p.m.
Friday, November 3
South Florida at Temple* (ESPN+)__ 12 p.m.
Memphis at Florida Atlantic* (ESPN+)_ 6 p.m.
SMU at East Carolina* (ESPN+)_____ 6 p.m.
Tulsa at UTSA* (ESPN+)____________ 7 p.m.
Tulane at Rice* (ESPN+)___________ 7 p.m.
Charlotte at UAB* (ESPN+)_________ 8 p.m.
North Texas at Wichita State* (ESPN+)__ 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 4
Memphis at Florida Atlantic* (ESPN+)_ 1 p.m.
North Texas at Wichita State* (ESPN+)__ 3 p.m.
Tulane at Rice* (ESPN+)___________ 3 p.m.
Tulsa at UTSA* (ESPN+)____________ 3 p.m.
Charlotte at UAB* (ESPN+)_________ 4 p.m.
- denotes American Athletic Conference game
All times ET and subject to change
