University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Lady Eagle Volleyball Team Faces Final Non-conference Opponent
9/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 18, 2007
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- - The Southern Miss volleyball team hits the road for its final non-conference match up against Southeastern Louisiana tonight.
Southern Miss (8-7) is riding a five-match winning streak, after going 4-0 in the Alabama State Tournament with three game sweeps of Alabama A&M, Southern University, Alabama State and Mississippi Valley State.
Senior Morgan Johnson leads the team in kills with 158 for a 3.29 per game average, followed by Ashley Petrinec with 140 kills (2.92 k/g). Four other players are averaging over 2.0 kills per game with Mari Ruddick at 2.84, Angela Hlavaty at 2.39, Amanda Huntoon at 2.32 and Stevi Cherry at 2.18. Johnson also leads the team in blocks (0.94).
Maia Ivanova anchors the Lady Eagle defense, averaging 4.40 digs per game, while Amy Flarity and Petrinec are averaging 2.79 digs apiece. Freshman Jillian Neave has performed most of the setting duties and is averaging 11.20 assists per game.
Southeastern (6-2), which increased its win streak to five matches, opened play at the ASU tournament with a four-game win over Mississippi Valley State before blanking host Alabama State. On Saturday, Southeastern rallied from a two-game deficit to defeat Southern before beating Alabama A&M in the finale to join Nicholls State, USM (8-7) and UNC-Asheville in the unbeaten ranks.
Senior Melissa Jones paces a balanced Southeastern attack with 2.07 kills per game while hitting .203 on the season. Freshman Kalynn Evans, sophomore Lauren Mayer and junior Emily Jordan are next averaging 2.04 kills per game each followed by Lydia Adeosun (1.92 kpg) and Wyoming transfer Jessica Srajer (1.91 kpg).
Maddie Beebe (5.00 assists per game) and Mayer (3.96 apg) are the top setters for the Lady Lions while junior Teri Byrum averages a team-best 4.12 digs per contest.
Following the match, Southern Miss begins Conference USA play, hosting Rice on Friday night in Reed Green Coliseum. Admission is free and first serve is set for 7 p.m.
