University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Opens C-USA Play In Texas
9/20/2018 1:45:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Hattiesburg, Miss. – Although the grueling travel schedule of the non-conference season is over for the Southern Miss volleyball team, the squad hops right back onto the road to open C-USA play this weekend.
With the Golden Eagles heading to UTSA (8-4, 0-0 C-USA) on Friday night and UTEP (3-9, 0-0 C-USA) on Sunday, they will nearly double the amount of miles they have accumulated on the road over the early portion of their schedule. Over trips to Ole Miss, Alabama and Florida State, the team accumulated nearly 1,500 miles on the road. This weekend alone, Southern Miss will travel nearly 2,500 miles.
"We just have to focus on our serve and pass game because that's going to be important with any opponent we play," said coach Stephanie Radecki. "If we're in our system, then we can be a lot more successful."
Just like Southern Miss, UTSA went through a gauntlet of a non-conference schedule. The Roadrunners lost twice to a nine-win Texas State team, went five sets with No. 18 Baylor and swept a 13-2 Houston team.
"We went up against some big-name teams this preseason," said Ashley Berry. "I believe that challenged us to step out of our comfort zones and run plays we typically would not run, which will work in our favor as we roll into conference play."
The veteran-heavy Roadrunners are led by Amanda Gonzales and Shelby Williams, a pair of seniors that have 410 assists and 180 digs, respectively. In comparison, Madison Lawler has 174 digs and Sarah Bell has 527 assists for the Golden Eagles. UTSA also has Brianna McCulloch, a junior that has smacked 149 kills. At the net, Kara Teal, a six-foot junior, leads the team with 40 blocks.
"This is like a new season in itself, and our team is very prepared and ready to get going so we can reach our goal at the end of the year," Bell said.
In nine previous meetings, the Golden Eagles have only been able to win four sets. Last season, UTSA won in four sets at Reed Green Coliseum.
On Sunday afternoon at UTEP, the three-win Miners will test the Golden Eagles in another C-USA battle. The Miners, who lost to Southern Miss in three sets last season, are paced by junior Macey Austin's 181 kills. Austin was named to the 2016 C-USA All-Freshman Team and was named 2017 C-USA Second Team All-Conference. UTEP also has Kristen Fritsche, a freshman with 432 assists and ranks fifth in C-USA with an average of 9.60 assists per set.
"Because we have five really strong hitters, if we're in system and Sarah can get the ball to anyone, then we're obviously going to be stronger and harder to defend," Radecki said. "We definitely need to focus on getting the ball to our middle as much as possible because that's going to help our pin hitters be successful."
Defensively, Mallory Yost leads the Miners with 31 blocks and Briana Bustillos has accumulated 163 digs. Dating back to 2013, Southern Miss has won the last six meetings and dropped just five sets to UTEP in that span.
"I think that we are well prepared for UTSA and UTEP, but it'll just come down to finishing the game and everyone playing their part," Berry said. "There's a lot of talent in this group and I think we'll definitely surprise some teams in C-USA this year."
Friday's game at UTSA is set for 7 p.m. (CT) and Sunday's contest against UTEP is set for 12 p.m. (MT).
With the Golden Eagles heading to UTSA (8-4, 0-0 C-USA) on Friday night and UTEP (3-9, 0-0 C-USA) on Sunday, they will nearly double the amount of miles they have accumulated on the road over the early portion of their schedule. Over trips to Ole Miss, Alabama and Florida State, the team accumulated nearly 1,500 miles on the road. This weekend alone, Southern Miss will travel nearly 2,500 miles.
"We just have to focus on our serve and pass game because that's going to be important with any opponent we play," said coach Stephanie Radecki. "If we're in our system, then we can be a lot more successful."
Just like Southern Miss, UTSA went through a gauntlet of a non-conference schedule. The Roadrunners lost twice to a nine-win Texas State team, went five sets with No. 18 Baylor and swept a 13-2 Houston team.
"We went up against some big-name teams this preseason," said Ashley Berry. "I believe that challenged us to step out of our comfort zones and run plays we typically would not run, which will work in our favor as we roll into conference play."
The veteran-heavy Roadrunners are led by Amanda Gonzales and Shelby Williams, a pair of seniors that have 410 assists and 180 digs, respectively. In comparison, Madison Lawler has 174 digs and Sarah Bell has 527 assists for the Golden Eagles. UTSA also has Brianna McCulloch, a junior that has smacked 149 kills. At the net, Kara Teal, a six-foot junior, leads the team with 40 blocks.
"This is like a new season in itself, and our team is very prepared and ready to get going so we can reach our goal at the end of the year," Bell said.
In nine previous meetings, the Golden Eagles have only been able to win four sets. Last season, UTSA won in four sets at Reed Green Coliseum.
On Sunday afternoon at UTEP, the three-win Miners will test the Golden Eagles in another C-USA battle. The Miners, who lost to Southern Miss in three sets last season, are paced by junior Macey Austin's 181 kills. Austin was named to the 2016 C-USA All-Freshman Team and was named 2017 C-USA Second Team All-Conference. UTEP also has Kristen Fritsche, a freshman with 432 assists and ranks fifth in C-USA with an average of 9.60 assists per set.
"Because we have five really strong hitters, if we're in system and Sarah can get the ball to anyone, then we're obviously going to be stronger and harder to defend," Radecki said. "We definitely need to focus on getting the ball to our middle as much as possible because that's going to help our pin hitters be successful."
Defensively, Mallory Yost leads the Miners with 31 blocks and Briana Bustillos has accumulated 163 digs. Dating back to 2013, Southern Miss has won the last six meetings and dropped just five sets to UTEP in that span.
"I think that we are well prepared for UTSA and UTEP, but it'll just come down to finishing the game and everyone playing their part," Berry said. "There's a lot of talent in this group and I think we'll definitely surprise some teams in C-USA this year."
Friday's game at UTSA is set for 7 p.m. (CT) and Sunday's contest against UTEP is set for 12 p.m. (MT).
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