Volleyball Team Readies For SMU
11/3/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 3, 2011
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss volleyball team is set to host SMU in a pair of Conference USA matches this weekend in Reed Green Coliseum on Friday and Saturday. Both matches begin at 7 p.m. with the Friday night match designated as the "Block out Cancer" match.
"Block out Cancer" t-shirts will be on sale for $10 with all the proceeds going to the local chapter of Waiting For A Cure group.
Golden Eagle Preview
Southern Miss enters the weekend with a 12-13 record overall and 6-7 in C-USA play following a loss at Marshall and a win at East Carolina last weekend.
Ashley Mell leads the team offensively with 261 kills for a 3.39 per set average followed closely behind by Halie Ecker (2.88 kps) and Lauren Sears (2.28 kps). Kelsea Seymour directs the offense at 11.09 assists per set, while Lisa Knecht has a team-leading 5.12 digs per set average. Sears also leads the team with 84 total blocks and 23 aces. As a team, Southern Miss is averaging 13.750 kills per set while averaging 18.38 digs per set and 2.11 blocks per set.
Scouting the Mustangs
SMU currently sits at 11-14 on the season and 7-6 in league play. As a team, SMU is hitting .192 with 12.27 kills per set, 0.86 aces per set, 17.03 digs per set and 2.65 blocks per set. SMU uses a balanced offensive attack as three players have recorded over 200 kills. Jessica Oliver leads the group, averaging 3.04 kills per set. Closely behind are Dana Powell, Courtney Manning and Caroline Young at 2.84 kps, 2.16 kps and 2.16 kps, respectively. Kelli Becerra runs the offense and is averaging 7.87 assists per set, while Sidney Stewart paces the team with 5.05 digs per set.
The Series: Southern Miss vs. SMU
SMU leads the series against the Golden Eagles 4-2. The two squads first met on Sept. 24, 2006 in Dallas with the Golden Eagles winning 3-0. Last season, the SMU won the only meeting in Dallas in a five-setter.
What's Next?
Southern Miss travels to UAB on Nov. 11 and Memphis on Nov. 12 in closing out the road portion of its schedule.