Sept. 6, 2012

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss volleyball team will play in its third tournament of the season as the Golden Eagles travel to Arlington, Texas for the Hilton Classic hosted by UTA.

Southern Miss heads into the weekend with a 1-5 record following a trio of losses in the Bon Temps Invitational last weekend. Freshman Lydia Bonner was named to the all-tournament team after her performance. She finished the weekend with 40 kills for a 3.64 per set average to go with nine digs and four total blocks.

USM opens the tournament against Northwestern State on Friday at 4 p.m., followed by a match against Marist at 11 a.m. Saturday morning and conclude with host UT Arlington at 7 p.m.

Sophomore Jasmine Crowell and Bonner lead the team offensively with 62 kills apiece while senior Halie Ecker is right behind with 60 kills. Kristen Fleming guides the offense with a 10.62 assist per set average. Elizabeth Rinaudo leads the defensive effort with an average of 3.90 digs per set. The players have tallied over 10 total blocks led by freshman Quinci Hayward with 18.

As a team, the Golden Eagles are averaging 12.8 kills and 14.2 digs per set with an attack percentage of .191. USM has recorded 21 aces led by Alex Pfefferle with a team-high seven.

Northwestern is 2-4 in its first six matches led by Caiti O'Connell and Mackenzie Neely with 59 and 54 kills, respectively. Emily Sweet is handing out 9.10 assists per set while Keelie Arneson is coming up with 4.43 digs per set. As a team, the Lady Demons are averaging 11.43 kills, 14.43 digs and 2.05 blocks per set. This is the 13th meeting between the two teams as the Golden Eagles own an 11-1 edge.

Marist is sporting a 4-2 record. Hanna Stoiberg leads the Red Foxes offensively with 58 kills. Stoiberg and Audra Brady share the setting duties as each are averaging just over 5.0 assists per set. Brooke Zywick is tops on the team in digs with 69. As a team, Marist is averaging 13.05 kills and 12.10 digs per set with an attack percentage of .237. This is the first meeting between USM and Marist.

UT Arlington is 3-5. Shelby Dickson paces the Mavericks in kills and digs with 3.40 kills and 3.93 digs per set. Amanda Welsh is handing out 9.50 assists per set while Charmaine Whitmore leads the team with 1.24 blocks per set. As a team, UTA is averaging 11.70 kills, 16.23 digs and 1.97 blocks per set. The two teams have played only once and UTA won that matchup.

Following the Hilton Classic, Southern Miss will travel to Stephen F. Austin for its final in-season tournament, Sept. 14-15.