University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Volleyball Readies for Weekend against East Carolina and Marshall
10/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 13, 2011
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss volleyball team gets ready for a pair of matches this weekend when East Carolina and Marshall visit Reed Green Coliseum on Oct. 14 and Oct. 16, respectively.
The Golden Eagles meet the Pirates at 7 p.m. in Reed Green Coliseum followed by a matchup with the Thundering Herd on Sunday at 12 p.m.
Live stats and video will be available for both matches via a link at www.SouthernMiss.com.
Golden Eagle Preview
Southern Miss enters the weekend with a 7-11 record overall and 1-5 in C-USA play following a pair of losses to Tulsa last weekend.
Halie Ecker continues to lead the team offensively with 185 kills for a 3.03 per set average followed closely behind by Lauren Sears (2.20 kps) and Ashley Mell (2.68 kps). Kelsea Seymour directs the offense at 10.27 assists per set, while Lisa Knecht has a team-leading 4.92 digs per set average. Seymour is 32 assists away from the 4,000 assist-plateau. Sears also leads the team with 62 total blocks and 20 aces. As a team, Southern Miss is averaging 12.74 kills per set while averaging 17.92 digs per set and 2.04 blocks per set.
Scouting the Pirates
East Carolina is 2-14 and 0-7 in league play after posting a pair of losses to Houston last weekend. Brittney Roper leads the Pirates in kills with 122 (2.39 kps). Zarah Cecich and Kasey Kavanaugh combine to guide the offense as they have dished out 8.27 assists per set. Shelby Beasley tops the defense with 3.88 digs per set. In blocking, Jackie Varnum is averaging 1.02 blocks per set. As a team, East Carolina is hitting .110 with 8.98 kills per set, 0.98 service aces per set, 12.84 digs per set and 2.22 blocks per set.
The Series: Southern Miss vs. East Carolina
Sothern Miss leads the series with East Carolina 10-7 in a series that dates back to 2001. Southern Miss won the first meeting on Sept. 30, 1982 3-0. Last season, the Golden Eagles swept East Carolina.
Scouting the Thundering Herd
Marshall currently sits at 3-14 on the season and 2-5 in league play. As a team, Marshall is hitting .157 with 12.21 kills per set, 0.96 aces per set, 14.71 digs per set and 1.84 blocks per set. Marshall uses a balanced offensive attack as three players have recorded over 100 kills. Abby Tomas leads the group, averaging 2.96 kills per set. Closely behind are Cameron Yoho and Sacha Byous-McConnell at 2.91 kps and 2.20 kps, respectively. Sammie Bane runs the offense and is averaging 9.23 assists per set, while Ryanne Milligan paces the team with 3.29 digs per set.
The Series: Southern Miss vs. Marshall
Marshall leads the series against the Golden Eagles 9-4. The two squads first met on Oct. 7, 2005 in Huntington with the Herd winning 3-0. Last season, the two teams split the series.
What's Next?
Southern Miss travels to Tulane on Oct. 19, UTEP on Oct. 21 and returns home on Oct. 23 for a match against UCF.
