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COMPLETE NOTES • 2017 STATISTICS

> After the first two weeks of conference play, both Wichita State²⁴ and SMU enter the third weekend undefeated with a 4-0 league record. All 12 American teams will head into week three action with six matches slated for Friday, Oct. 6 and another six on Sunday, Oct. 8.
 
> Wichita State is off to its best conference start since 2013 with a 4-0 league record, as the Shockers (12-3, 4-0) most recently defeated USF and UCF in their first pair of American home matches. Emily Hiebert led the weekend with a .607 hitting percentage and averaged 11.14 assists per set to pick up her second conference Offensive Player of the Week honor. The Shockers’ offense leads the league, as they sit atop The American in hitting percentage, assists and kills per set. Wichita State will travel to Tulane on Friday and Houston on Sunday.
 
> SMU (10-5, 4-0) battled last weekend to win two five-set matches on the road and join the Shockers at the top of the standings with a 4-0 league record. Defense was key for the Mustangs, who rank 19th in the nation with 17.40 digs per set and lead the conference with 142 total blocks. After taking down ECU 3-2 on Friday, SMU clashed with Cincinnati in another five-set thriller on Sunday, handing the Bearcats their first conference loss en route to setting an American record of 23 blocks. Meryn Kennedy accounted for 12 blocks in the win to earn Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Lauren Mills put down 20 kills and 20 digs for her tied league-leading 10th double-double of the season. The Mustangs return home this weekend to host USF and UCF.
 
> Coming off a 2-0 weekend on the road, Temple (7-5, 3-1) has won three straight conference contests. The Owls most recently defeated Memphis in four sets and Houston in five. Senior setter Kyra Coundourides was placed on the weekly Honor Roll for the second consecutive week after averaging 10.78 assists and 2.44 digs per set with two double-doubles. Temple is still the top blocking team in the conference, ranking 26th in the nation with 2.69 blocks per set with Izzy Rapacz leading the league with 1.22 stuffs per set. The Owls will host ECU and Cincinnati this weekend.
 
> Cincinnati’s only conference loss came in five sets to SMU, as the Bearcats head into week three of conference play with a 3-1 American record. Carly Nolan leads the league with 4.12 kills per set and had a double-double of 20 kills and 22 digs, while Jade Tinglehoff set a conference-best 61 assists in that loss. The Bearcats will look to rebound away from home this weekend at UConn and Temple.

> Houston posted a strong outing last weekend after snapping a 24-match conference losing streak with a sweep over UConn at home. The Cougars came close to a perfect weekend, but lost in five sets to Temple on Sunday. Megan Duncan earned a spot on the conference Honor Roll after reaching double-digit kills in both matches to lead the Cougars. Houston is 19th in the nation with 1.68 aces per set and will continue its home stand, welcoming Memphis and Wichita State to the court this week.

Upcoming Schedule/Results
Friday, October 6
Cincinnati vs UConn • 7 p.m.*
ECU vs. Temple • 7 p.m.*
Memphis vs. Houston • 8 p.m.*
USF vs. SMU • 8 p.m.*
Wichita State²⁴  vs. Tulane • 8 p.m.*
UCF vs. Tulsa • 8 p.m.*
 
Sunday, October 8
ECU vs. UConn • Noon*
Wichita State²⁴ vs. Houston • 1 p.m.*
Cincinnati vs. Temple •1 p.m.*
Memphis vs. Tulane • Postponed *
UCF vs. SMU • 2 p.m.*
USF vs. Tulsa • 2 p.m.*
 
All times Eastern and subject to change
*Denotes conference matches