Lady Eagles Top Alabama, Notch 24th Win
11/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
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Lady Eagles Top Alabama, Notch 24th Win
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Despite dropping the first game by 10 points, the Southern Miss Lady Eagle volleyball team came back with a vengeance, taking a 3-1 win over host Alabama, Wednesday, in Tuscaloosa.
With the victory, the Lady Eagles (24-5) picked up their 24th win of the year, matching the 1990 team for second-most wins all time. Only the 1986 team that won 26 matches has more.
Southern Miss dropped the opening game 20-30, but then rolled off the next three games -- 30-25, 30-21, 30-24.
"We played excellent in the last three games," Lady Eagle Head Coach Santiago Restrepo said. "In the first game, we played a little tense and seemed scared of their size. After that, we settled down and played much better. We did well on defense and hit the ball real well."
Southern Miss received a solid offensive effort in the match, with four players tallying 10 points or more. Bridget Files had a team-high 20.5 points and had 19 kills. Andrea Bush followed with 15 points (14 kills) and also added 11 digs. Nicki Tribble had 14 points, including 13 kills. Jazzmien Stephens added 10 kills and a total of 12 points. Setter Amy Truong had 47 assists on the night to go along with two service aces.
"One thing we did well was that everyone contributed tonight," Restrepo said. "We did well on the attack, and we played well on defense. Cassie Conley also came in off the bench and gave us some very good minutes."
For Alabama, Erin Heffner has a match-high 22 kills and 24.5 points. Jennifer Bibber had 14 kills and 17.5 total points, while Julie Farley added 11 points (nine kills). Erin Price had a match-high 53 assists. Alabama also committed 29 attack errors in the match.
The win was the first over Alabama in three matches and the first since 1997. It also was the final non-conference match of the year.
The Lady Eagles return to Hattiesburg to host Conference USA rival Tulane on Saturday. Match time is set for 7 p.m., at the USM Payne Center.