University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Volleyball Plays Its Third Tournament, Travels to San Diego
9/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 11, 2008
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss volleyball team competes in its third tournament of the season when the Golden Eagles travel to San Diego for the USD Tournament.
Southern Miss opens play against Texas A&M, Friday, and then plays host San Diego on Saturday, closing out play against Cal State Fullerton.
The Golden Eagles are off to the school's best start in the history of the program at 7-0. Seniors Stevi Cherry and Ashley Petrinec pace the Eagle attack with 68 and 57 kills, respectively. Sarah Jane Bowden, Lauren Sears and Angela Hlavaty led the team in blocks, each averaging over 1.0o per set. Maia Ivanova leads the team with 85 digs for an average of 3.54 per set.
Heading into the weekend, five players have registered 40 or more kills through the seven matches. As a team, the Golden Eagles are hitting .219 as compared to their opponents' .065. Southern Miss also has recorded 40 service aces.
Texas A&M comes into the tournament with a 4-3 record after defeating Texas State, 3-0. Mary Batis leads the Aggies offensively with 96 kills and a .214 attack percentage. Setter Kristen Schevikhoven has recorded 262 assists. Batis also leads the team in digs with 96. This is the first meeting between the two teams.
San Diego enters the tournament ranked No. 20, sporting a 5-1 record. Amy DeGroot leads the San Diego offense with a team-best 87 kills, while Jessica Nyrop has 215 assists on the season. Defensively, Andrea Csaszi has amassed 84 digs. This is the first meeting between the two teams.
Cal State Fullerton is 2-4 on the season after a 3-0 loss to No. 10 Wisconsin. Brittany Moore leads the way with 75 kills, while Cami Corteau leads the team in digs with 78. Genie Francisco has recorded 204 assists. Cal State Fullerton leads the series with Southern Miss, 1-0.
Following the tournament, Southern Miss returns home to play Alcorn State, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m., before opening Conference USA against UCF, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m., followed by the Southern Miss La Quinta Inn Invitational, Sept. 19-20.
