University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Volleyball Readies for Conference USA Home Opener
9/29/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 29, 2011
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss volleyball team plays at home for the first time since Aug. 27, when the Golden Eagles host Conference USA foes Memphis and UAB on Sept. 30 and Oct. 2, respectively.
The Golden Eagles meet the Tigers at 7 p.m. in Reed Green Coliseum followed by a matchup with the Blazers on Sunday at 1 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 6-8 record overall and 0-2 in C-USA play following two, five-set losses to Houston and Rick last weekend.
Halie Ecker continues to lead the team offensively with 160 kills for a 3.08 per set average followed closely behind by Lauren Sears (2.04 kps) and Ashley Mell (2.70 kps). Kelsea Seymour directs the offense at 10.06 assists per set, while Lisa Knecht has a team-leading 4.74 digs per set average. Sears also leads the team with 53 total blocks and 17 aces. As a team, Southern Miss is averaging 12.66 kills per set while averaging 0.91 aces per set, 17.66 digs per set and 2.05 blocks per set.
Scouting the Tigers
Memphis is 13-3 and 2-1 in league play after posting back-to-back 3-0 wins over East Carolina and Marshall last weekend. Altrese Hawkins and Marija Jovanovic lead the Tigers in kills with 226 (4.11 kps) and 190 (3.65 kps), respectively. Hajnalka Molnar guides the offense as she has dished out 12.2 assists per set. Aleksandra Petronijevic tops the defense with 3.55 digs per set. In blocking, Katie Meyer is averaging 0.96 blocks per set. As a team, Memphis is hitting .274 with 14.33 kills per set, 1.89 service aces per set, 14.53 digs per set and 1.71 blocks per set.
The Series: Southern Miss vs. Memphis
Sothern Miss trails the series with Memphis 22-16 in a series that dates back to 1982. Memphis won the first meeting on Sept. 27, 1982 3-0 (15-5, 15-5, 15-4). Last season, the Golden Eagles defeated Memphis 3-1 (15-11, 23-25, 28-26, 25-20) in Hattiesburg.
Scouting the Blazers
UAB currently sits at 13-2 on the season, having won its last nine matches. The Blazers posted wins over Memphis, Marshall and East Carolina in opening their C-USA slate, 3-0. As a team, UAB is hitting .239 with 12.95 kills per set, 1.42 aces per set, 16.26 digs per set and 2.71 blocks per set. UAB uses a balanced offensive attack as five players have recorded over 100 kills. Sam Serley leads the group, averaging 2.56 kills per set. Closely behind are Ally Slaugher and Kate Morrell at 2.51 kps and 2.47 kps, respectively. Alison Woods and Becca Howard runs the 6-2 offense and have combined for 11.62 assists per set, while Heather Thomas paces the team with 5.24 digs per set.
The Series: Southern Miss vs. UAB
The Golden Eagles lead the overall series19-18. The two squads first met on Sept. 25, 1981 in Columbus, Miss., with UAB winning 2-0 (15-8, 15-4). Last season, the Golden Eagles posted two wins over the Blazers. USM won the first matchup, 3-1 (29-27, 25-18, 22-25, 25-19) in Birmingham and took the second match, 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-16) in Hattiesburg.
What's Next?
Southern Miss travels to Tulsa for a couple matches on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9. Both times are set for a 1 p.m. first serve.
