Eagles Open Conference Slate This Weekend

STATESBORO, Ga. – Coming off the SpringHill Suites Invitational Championship, the Georgia Southern Volleyball team embarks on the 2010 Southern Conference season this weekend with a pair of matches on the road. The Eagles will travel first to Wofford, Sept. 24 and then head to the 2009 SoCon South Division regular season champion, Furman, on Sept. 25.

Georgia Southern, winners of six of its last eight matches, completed the tournament portion of the schedule with an 8-6 record. The record was highlighted by four sweeps and the SpringHill Suites Invitational crown. Sophomore setter Kate Van Dyke (Shawnee, Kan.) was named the Tournament MVP after logging 12.13 assists per set in the four matches. Van Dyke was joined on the all-tournament team by juniors Bethany Sanford (Avondale, Ariz.) and Parker Small (Charlotte, N.C.). Sanford led the team in kills with 58 with Small right behind at 53. In addition, Small added eight blocks, while Sanford collected 55 digs. Moriah Bellissimo (Blackstone, Va.) led in the back court with 63 digs followed by junior Ashley Roe (Campbell, Calif.).

In the first of 16 SoCon matches, the Eagles will face the Wofford Terriers, a team also coming off a tournament victory after defeating Stetson to win the Wofford College Invitational. The Terriers carry a 10-7 record into league play after sweeping North Carolina A&T on the road.

The Terriers are led defensively by Reagan Styles who anchors the back court with 246 digs on the season (3.90 digs per set). Amanda Liguori narrowly edges Stacy Byrd for the team-lead in kills. Liguori boasts 143 (2.31 kps), while Byrd owns 140 (2.22 kps).

Furman, the defending South Division regular season champions, carries a 6-6 record into weekend action. The Paladins, coming off a 3-2 victory over Georgetown, are led by Kelly Kirby (2.65 kps) and Natalie Braun (2.98 dps).

Fans can follow the Wofford match via live stats by clicking here, while the Furman match will have both live stats and live stream. Please click here for to access the Furman website.

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