University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
UC Irvine
Southern Miss Falls Twice In the UC Irvine/Nike Invitational
9/8/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 8, 2007
IRVINE, Calif. -- - Southern Miss lost both matches on Saturday at the UC Irvine/Nike Invitational, losing to host UC Irvine then to No. 5 UCLA and dropping to 3-6 on the season.
In the first match of the day, Southern Miss lost to host UC Irvine in three games (30-19, 30-26, 30-26). Mari Ruddick led the Golden Eagles with 10 kills. Maia Ivanova and Amy Flarity recorded 11 digs apiece.
UCI popped out to an early lead, taking advantage of the Eagles struggling offense on its way to winning game one, 30-19. Southern Miss finished game one with a .031 attack percentage.
Both teams battled for much of game two. UCI led early, but the Golden Eagles were able to tie the game on two occasions, the last coming at 10-10, before the Anteaters went on an 7-1 run to take a 17-11 lead. UCI led by as many as seven points, 26-19, but Southern Miss put together a 5-1 run to cut the lead to three, 27-24, but that was as close as the Eagles would get. UCI held on for the 30-26 win.
UCI started out strong in game three, building a 13-5 lead. The Golden Eagles began chipping away at the lead and clawed their way back to within three, 23-20. But UCI held on for the 30-26 win.
Southern Miss concluded play in the tournament against No. 5 UCLA, losing in three (30-19, 30-23, 30-18).
Ruddick and Amanda Huntoon led the Golden Eagles with eight kills each, while Ashley Petrinec recorded 10 digs
Ali Daley led UCLA with a double-double, 12 kills and 12 digs. Jade Machado also added 12 digs.
UCLA led from start to finish in game one, allowing only nine kills by the Golden Eagles. UCLA took game one, 30-19.
Southern Miss got its offense going in game two, keeping the score close. The Golden Eagles fell behind, 18-11, but rallied to cut the lead to two, 18-16. UCLA pushed its lead to 27-20, before finally winning 30-23.
UCLA led early, but the Southern Miss was able to keep within striking distance. USM trailed by three points, 18-15, before UCLA used a 9-1 run to take a 27-16 lead. The Bruins went on to win, 30-18.
Southern Miss returns to action on Tuesday when the Golden Eagles host Nicholls State in a 7 p.m., match. The match will be played in Reed Green Coliseum.
