University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Plays In Louisiana Tech Tournament
8/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 30, 2007
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- - The Golden Eagle volleyball team's season-opening tournament did not go as planned, dropping all three matches in the State Farm Bearcat Invitational over the weekend. The Golden Eagles will try to regroup, when they head to the Louisiana Tech Tournament, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, in Ruston, La. Southern Miss plays Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Central Arkansas on Friday. Opponents scheduled for Saturday will be determined by the results of Friday's matches. Other teams included are Louisiana Tech, Southeastern Louisiana and Centenary.
Southern Miss (0-3) is coming off three-straight losses, the latest a 3-0 loss to Oakland. Senior Mari Ruddick was named to the all-tournament team for her performance. Ruddick finished the weekend with a 3.67 kill per game average and a .364 attack percentage. Morgan Johnson turned in a solid performance, recording 31 kills and eight blocks. Maia Ivanova finished the weekend with 45 digs. Ruddick also recorded seven service aces.
Arkansas-Pine Bluff opens its season this week with its match against Southern Miss. UAPB is coming off a 4-20 season. Head Coach Kawanza Bibles is in her second season with the Golden Lions. She returns five starters.
Central Arkansas is coming off a 3-1 win over Louisiana-Lafayette to win the Capital One Classic. Head Coach Steven McRoberts is in his third season with the Sugar Bears and returns five starters from last year's team that posted a 19-17 record. Three players received all-tournament honors at the CapitalOne Classic, Chloe Smith, Robyn Smith and Amicha Williams. Chloe Smith leads the team in kills with 38, while Williams is close behind at 36. The Sugar Bears recorded 24 service aces in the tournament.
Following the Louisiana Tech Tournament, Southern Miss returns to open its home portion of its schedule, hosting Alcorn State on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.
