University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Volleyball Set to Open 2011 Season With Home Tournament
8/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2011
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss volleyball team is set to kick off the 2011 season when the Golden Eagles host their annual tournament Aug. 26-27 in Reed Green Coliseum. Admission is free.
Play gets underway Friday with Northwestern State and Chattanooga at 12 p.m., followed by Jackson State and Northwestern State at 3 p.m. First day action concludes at 7 p.m. with Southern Miss and Chattanooga.
Play resumes Saturday at 12 p.m. with Southern Miss against Northwestern State followed by Chattanooga and Jackson State at 3 p.m. Southern Miss and Jackson State play at 7 p.m.
Southern Miss is coming off a 19-12 record overall and 12-8 in Conference USA. Second year coach Abbey Sutherland returns nine letterwinners including the entire starting lineup that include First Team All-Conference USA selections Ashley Mell and Kelsea Seymour. Other returnees including senior middle blockers Sarah Jane (SJ) Bowden and Lauren Sears, senior right side Amelia Hendrickson, senior libero Lisa Knecht, junior outside hitter Halie Ecker, junior utility Elizabeth Rinaudo and sophomore outside hitter Shelby Schacher. Newcomers this season include Jasmine Crowell, Kristen Fleming, Alex Pfefferle, Emily Sears and Katie Steelman.
The Golden Eagles return 97 percent of the offense and 98 percent of the defense and blocking.
Southern Miss vs. Chattanooga
This is the first meeting between the Lady Mocs and the Golden Eagles.
Southern Miss vs. Northwestern State
USM owns a 10-1 record against the Lady Demons in a series dating back to 1987. The Golden Eagles won the inaugural match, 3-2 (15-10, 10-15, 15-10, 12-15, 15-11). Southern Miss and Northwestern State last met Sept. 22, 1995 with the Eagles defeating the Lady Demons, 3-1 (15-7, 15-17, 15-4, 15-5).
Southern Miss vs. Jackson State
The Golden Eagles own a 19-10 record against the Tigers in a series dating back to 1979. Southern Miss lost the initial match, 3-0 (3-26, 0-15, 2-15). USM and JSU last met Aug. 31, 2007 the Golden Eagles winning, 3-0 (30-21, 30-16, 30-14)
The Southern Miss Invitational Schedule of play:8/26/11 Friday #Northwestern State vs. Chattanooga 12 p.m.8/26/11 Friday #Jackson State vs. Northwestern State 3 p.m.8/26/11 Friday #Southern Miss vs. Chattanooga 7 p.m.8/27/11 Saturday #Southern Miss vs. Northwestern State 12 p.m.8/27/11 Saturday #Chattanooga vs. Jackson State 3 p.m.8/27/11 Saturday #Southern Miss vs. Jackson State 7 p.m.
What's Next?
Southern Miss opens its road slate at the Iowa State Challenge where the Golden Eagles play Iowa State at 12 p.m. on Friday. Southern Miss will face Iowa at 4:30 p.m. and conclude Saturday against Arizona State at 11 a.m.
