University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Opens Conference USA Play Against UCF
9/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 14, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- - The Lady Eagle volleyball team opens Conference USA play against UCF on Friday at 7 p.m., in the Payne Center. This is the C-USA opener for both teams.
Southern Miss is coming off a 3-1 win against Nicholls State, snapping a two-match losing streak. Ashley Petrinec and Mari Ruddick led Southern Miss with 13 kills a piece, while Maia Ivanova had 11 digs. Morgan Johnson recorded a career high 10 total blocks.
Petrinec continues to lead the team in kills with 140, a 3.11 per game average. Ivanova leads the team in digs with 195, a 4.33 per game average and in aces with 19. Johnson leads the team in attack percentage at .208 and total blocks with 49. Cassie Lavery has recorded 253 assists.
As a team, Southern Miss is averaging 13.5 kills and 16.37 digs per game with an attack percentage of .154. Seven players have recorded 25 or more kills on the season.
UCF comes into the match with a 3-6 record, following a 3-1 loss to Florida A&M. Senior Maina Heming recorded 19 kills in the match to go with 13 digs, while Lorin Lukes tallied a 29 digs.
Head Coach Meg Colado is in her eighth season, returns five starters from last year's team that posted a 9-18 record. Heming leads the team in kills with 90, while Tricia Scott leads the team in digs with 115. Leah Alexander leads the team in assists with 208.
The Golden Knights are averaging 13.52 kills and 16.45 digs per game with an attack percentage of .157.
Troy has a 4-7 record and will play two matches in Ruston, La., against La. Tech and Stephen F. Austin on Friday.
Sophomore Aubre Smith leads the team in kills with 110, while Jean McCarthy leads the team in digs with 123. Meghan Washlow leads the team with 328 assists.
Head Coach Sonny Kirkpatrick is in his first season, returns only two starters from last year's team. As a team, the Trojans are averaging 11.49 kills and 12.33 digs per game with an attack percentage of .144.
Following the tri-matches, Southern Miss remains at home, hosting UNO on Sept. 20 and Tulsa on Sept. 22. Both matches begin at 7 p.m., in the Payne Center.
