Southern Miss volleyball team: Eagles Make Return Trip to East Carolina and Marshall
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss volleyball team heads on of its last final regular season road trips this weekend to East Carolina and Marshall. The Golden Eagles face the Pirates at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov.19, followed by the Thundering Herd on Sunday, Nov. 21 at 12 p.m.
Live stats for both matches this weekend will be available via a link at Southernmiss.com.
Southern Miss Preview
The Golden Eagles improved to 18-10 and 11-6 in conference play after wins over UAB (3-0) and Memphis (3-1) on Nov. 12-14. Southern Miss remains in sole possession of fourth place in the C-USA standings.
Southern Miss has won 10 of its last 11 matches. As a team, the Golden Eagles are averaging 13.9 kills per set, 13.04 assists per set, 16.60 digs per set and 1.92 blocks per set, while out hitting their opponents, .225 to .206. Outside hitter Ashley Mell continues to lead the offense with 475 kills averaging 4.44 kps. Setter Kelsea Seymour guides the offense with an 11.07 assists per set average and Lisa Knecht lead the back row with 501 digs (4.77 dps). Lauren Sears is tops on the team with 25 aces. Seymour recorded the league’s first triple double this season with 10 kills, 34 assists and 13 digs against Memphis (Nov. 14).
Scouting the Pirates
Heading into this weekend with a 1-27 record and 0-16 in league play. East Carolina dropped a pair of matches last weekend at Houston (3-0) and rice (3-1). Four ECU players have collected over 100 kills on the season, led by Amanda Lutzow with 191 followed by Britney Roper with 181 and Jackie Varnum with 171. Kasey Kavanaugh has 569 assists while Nicole Jones leads the team with 273 digs.
Southern Miss vs. East Carolina
Southern Miss owns an 8-8 record against the Pirates. The Golden Eagles have won the last five matches including a win earlier this season, Southern Miss defeated the Pirates 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-21).
Scouting the Thundering Herd
Marshall ended a 10-match losing streak on Nov. 12 with a 3-0 victory at Rice. The Thundering Herd comes into the weekend with a 10-18 record and 4-12 in league play. Prior to the Southern Miss match, the Herd host Tulane. Elizabeth Herman leads the team offensively with 398 kills (3.90 kps) while Elizabeth Fleming has handed out 1,082 assists. The reigning Setter of the Week recorded her 5,000th career assist. Laura Der and Katy Schad lead the team with 304 and 303 digs, respectively.
Southern Miss vs. Marshall
The Golden Eagles are 4-8 all-time against the Thundering Herd. Earlier this season, Southern Miss defeated the Thundering Herd by set scores 25-19, 25-18, 20-15, 19-25 and 15-11.
What's Next?
The Golden Eagles concludes is regular season on the road on Nov. 27 to close out the regular season. Southern Miss travels to Tulane on Saturday for a 7 p.m. first serve.
