University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
Air Force
Volleyball Team Knocks Off Air Force, 3-1
8/31/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 31, 2008
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Southern Miss volleyball team opened the 2008 season, posting a two wins in the Air Force Academy Tournament.
The Golden Eagles defeated Buffalo, 3-1, and then followed with a 3-1 win over host Air Force.
In the first match, seniors Stevi Cherry and Ashley Petrinec led the way with 13 and 11 kills, respectively. Petrinec also tallied team high 12 digs. Freshmen Sarah Jane Bowden and Lauren Sears combined for 13 of the team's 26 total blocks.
Freshman Kelsea Seymour served 13 straight points, helping Southern Miss take an 18-3 lead in the first set on its way to a 25-14 win.
Buffalo tied the match at 1-1, after winning the second set, 25-23.
The Golden Eagles closed out the match, winning the last two sets 25-18 and 25-19.
Five freshmen made their collegiate debut and contributed to the win. Bowden and Sears registered six kills apiece. The Golden Eagle defense held Buffalo to -.074 attack percentage.
Petrinec (11) and Cherry (10) combined for 21 of the 40 kills, leading Southern Miss past Air Force, 3-1. Maia Ivanova recorded 13 digs and two service aces.
Sears, Bowden and Angela Hlavaty combined for 18 total blocks in holding Air force to .061 hitting.
The Golden Eagles won the first set, 25-19, before Air Force tied the match with a 25-19 win in set two. Southern Miss won the last two sets, 25-15.
Southern Miss wraps up the tournament with a match against Kennesaw State, Sept. 1.
