MUSTANGS CONTROL DESTINY
With five-matches remaining, the SMU Mustangs sit firmly in first place in the overall standings in the American and in the West Division. SMU is riding a nine-match winning streak following a sweep of East Carolina and holds a two-match lead over Rice and Wichita State and own tiebreakers against both teams.
TRIPLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
The American has seen six triple-doubles this season and five belong to Kelsey Smith of UAB. Smith has had a triple-double in three straight matches. Over the course of the three games, she is averaging 3.57 kills per set, 2.92 digs per set, and 5.28 assists per set. Jordan Heatherly of Memphis is the only other player in the conference with a triple-double.
EAST DIVISION SHOWDOWN
With both teams sitting at 9-5 in conference play, East Carolina and South Florida will battle for first place in the East Division this Thursday (6 p.m. ET) and Friday (2 p.m. ET) in Tampa. The Bulls enter the weekend with a two-match winning streak, while the Pirates enter on a three-match skid.
DEFENSE POWERING RICE
The Rice Owls lead The American in opponent hitting percentage (.146), blocks per set (2.52) and digs per set (19.16). 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 19, followed by Rice (41), Wichita State (68) and Tulsa (97).
Thursday, November 9
East Carolina at South Florida* (ESPN+)_________ 6 p.m.
Friday, November 10
East Carolina at South Florida* (ESPN+)_________ 2 p.m.
UAB at Temple* (ESPN+)_______________________ 6 p.m.
Florida Atlantic at Charlotte* (ESPN+)___________ 7 p.m.
Rice at North Texas* (ESPN+)__________________ 7 p.m.
SMU at Tulane* (ESPN+)_______________________ 7 p.m.
Memphis at Tulsa* (ESPN+)____________________ 7:30 p.m.
UTSA at Wichita State* (ESPN+)________________ 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 11
UTSA at Wichita State* (ESPN+)________________ 2 p.m.
UAB at Temple* (ESPN+)_______________________ 2 p.m.
Rice at North Texas* (ESPN+)__________________ 3 p.m.
Sunday, November 12
Florida Atlantic at Charlotte* (ESPN+)___________ 1 p.m.
SMU at Tulane* (ESPN+)_______________________ 3 p.m.
Thursday, November 16
South Florida at Florida Atlantic* (ESPN+)_______ 6 p.m.
Friday, November 17
South Florida at Florida Atlantic* (ESPN+)_______ 2 p.m.
Charlotte at East Carolina* (ESPN+)____________ 6 p.m.
Wichtia State at Rice* (ESPN+)_________________ 7 p.m.
North Texas at SMU* (ESPN+)__________________ 7 p.m.
Tulane at Tulsa* (ESPN+)______________________ 7:30 p.m.
Temple at Memphis* (ESPN+)__________________ 8 p.m.
UTSA at UAB* (ESPN+)_________________________ 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 18
Charlotte at East Carolina* (ESPN+)____________ 2 p.m.
Temple at Memphis* (ESPN+)__________________ 3 p.m.
Wichita State at Rice* (ESPN+)_________________ 3 p.m.
North Texas at SMU* (ESPN+)__________________ 3 p.m.
Sunday November 19
Tulane at Tulsa* (ESPN+)______________________ 2 p.m.
* denotes American Athletic Conference game
All times ET and subject to change
