Eagles Play Host to The Citadel and College of Charleston in SoCon Volleyball Action
11/3/2010 9:14:00 PM | Volleyball
STATESBORO, Ga. – After a midweek, non-conference road win at North Florida, the Georgia Southern Volleyball team returns to Hanner Fieldhouse this weekend for a pair of Southern Conference matches versus The Citadel and College of Charleston.
“The Citadel and College of Charleston will be exciting matches as our home slate draws to a close,” noted Eagle Head Coach Chad Callihan. “Both teams present some intriguing match-ups for us and will provide us with another opportunity to improve on some things before the conference tournament begins. Hopefully we give our fans who are in town for Homecoming an exciting weekend.”
Junior outside hitter Bethany Sanford's (Avondale, Ariz.) 3.45 kills per set lead GSU offensively. Junior middle hitter Parker Small (Charlotte, N.C.) and junior right side Hannah Nelson (Norcross, Ga.) each also average 2.25+ kills per set with Small adding a team-high 95 total blocks.
Reigning SoCon Freshman of the Week defensive specialist/libero Lauren LaRocque (Borger, Texas) is first on the squad with 31 service aces.
Georgia Southern's only Southern Conference loss this year came at the hand of College of Charleston, an extra-point loss in Charleston on Oct. 8. The Eagles won the first set and, after dropping the second and third, rallied to win game four and force a deciding set. GSU sent the fifth frame to extra points, but couldn't hold on, suffering a 3-2 (24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 19-17) defeat.
Small was one of four Eagles with double-digit kills in that match, leading the way with 15. Sanford and sophomore middle hitter Moriah Bellissimo (Blackstone, Va.) each recorded double-doubles.
Like the Eagles, College of Charleston owns a nine-match winning streak and has won 16 of its last 17 matches. Georgia Southern has won 18 of its last 19.
Leading the Cougars offensively is outside hitter Whitney Russell with 3.43 kills per set, one of four CofC players averaging 2.00+ kills. Middle blockers Sarah Havel and Elyse Chubb have combined for 233 total blocks this season, with Havel posting 24 block solos.
GSU swept The Citadel 3-0 (25-12, 25-20, 25-13) on Oct. 9th in Charleston, a match that saw two Eagles reach double-digit kills. Small posted 10 kills, four total blocks and a .500 hitting percentage through the three-set contest. Nelson led Georgia Southern with 14 kills and hit .440.
The Eagle defense held The Citadel to a -.053 hitting percentage in the match, forcing 20 attack errors, and limiting the Bulldog's leading hitter Tatum Jestila to just four kills.
While Jestila paces the Bulldogs (6-20, 1-10 SoCon) on offense with 2.52 kills per set, she and libero/outside hitter Kathryn Johnson average 3.44 and 2.86 digs per set, respectively. At the net, three Bulldogs have 55+ total blocks, led by middle blocker Jessica Maxwell's nine block solos and right side Kaona Mercer's 54 block assists.
Friday night's match will be a “Bluau” at Hanner Fieldhouse. Fans are encouraged to come dressed in Hawaiian attire and the first 250 fans will receive a free lei. Papa John's will also provide a free slice of Hawaiian pizza to the first 50 fans in attendance.
Following Saturday's football game vs. Appalachian State, all fans with a football ticket will gain free admittance to the volleyball match. Those in attendance are asked to wear blue as part of a BLUE OUT in support of Eagle Volleyball. Saturday will also be Junior Eagle Club Day with all Junior Eagle Club members will receive free admission with a valid membership card.
Live stats and a subscription-based live video will be available for both matches at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com.
“The Citadel and College of Charleston will be exciting matches as our home slate draws to a close,” noted Eagle Head Coach Chad Callihan. “Both teams present some intriguing match-ups for us and will provide us with another opportunity to improve on some things before the conference tournament begins. Hopefully we give our fans who are in town for Homecoming an exciting weekend.”
Junior outside hitter Bethany Sanford's (Avondale, Ariz.) 3.45 kills per set lead GSU offensively. Junior middle hitter Parker Small (Charlotte, N.C.) and junior right side Hannah Nelson (Norcross, Ga.) each also average 2.25+ kills per set with Small adding a team-high 95 total blocks.
Reigning SoCon Freshman of the Week defensive specialist/libero Lauren LaRocque (Borger, Texas) is first on the squad with 31 service aces.
Georgia Southern's only Southern Conference loss this year came at the hand of College of Charleston, an extra-point loss in Charleston on Oct. 8. The Eagles won the first set and, after dropping the second and third, rallied to win game four and force a deciding set. GSU sent the fifth frame to extra points, but couldn't hold on, suffering a 3-2 (24-26, 25-20, 25-21, 18-25, 19-17) defeat.
Small was one of four Eagles with double-digit kills in that match, leading the way with 15. Sanford and sophomore middle hitter Moriah Bellissimo (Blackstone, Va.) each recorded double-doubles.
Like the Eagles, College of Charleston owns a nine-match winning streak and has won 16 of its last 17 matches. Georgia Southern has won 18 of its last 19.
Leading the Cougars offensively is outside hitter Whitney Russell with 3.43 kills per set, one of four CofC players averaging 2.00+ kills. Middle blockers Sarah Havel and Elyse Chubb have combined for 233 total blocks this season, with Havel posting 24 block solos.
GSU swept The Citadel 3-0 (25-12, 25-20, 25-13) on Oct. 9th in Charleston, a match that saw two Eagles reach double-digit kills. Small posted 10 kills, four total blocks and a .500 hitting percentage through the three-set contest. Nelson led Georgia Southern with 14 kills and hit .440.
The Eagle defense held The Citadel to a -.053 hitting percentage in the match, forcing 20 attack errors, and limiting the Bulldog's leading hitter Tatum Jestila to just four kills.
While Jestila paces the Bulldogs (6-20, 1-10 SoCon) on offense with 2.52 kills per set, she and libero/outside hitter Kathryn Johnson average 3.44 and 2.86 digs per set, respectively. At the net, three Bulldogs have 55+ total blocks, led by middle blocker Jessica Maxwell's nine block solos and right side Kaona Mercer's 54 block assists.
Friday night's match will be a “Bluau” at Hanner Fieldhouse. Fans are encouraged to come dressed in Hawaiian attire and the first 250 fans will receive a free lei. Papa John's will also provide a free slice of Hawaiian pizza to the first 50 fans in attendance.
Following Saturday's football game vs. Appalachian State, all fans with a football ticket will gain free admittance to the volleyball match. Those in attendance are asked to wear blue as part of a BLUE OUT in support of Eagle Volleyball. Saturday will also be Junior Eagle Club Day with all Junior Eagle Club members will receive free admission with a valid membership card.
Live stats and a subscription-based live video will be available for both matches at www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com.
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