Tulane University
SOUTHERN
Middles Lead Volleyball To 3-0 Victory Over Southern
Oct 28, 2003 | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 28, 2003
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Middle blockers Deva Fowler and Kim Swafford combined for 22 kills, eight blocks, six service aces and five digs as the Tulane University volleyball team defeated Southern University 3-0 Tuesday night in Fogelman Arena.
The Green Wave made quick work of the visiting Lady Jags, taking the match 30-7, 30-11, 30-10 in just 65 minutes of work. With the win, Tulane snaps its two-match losing streak and improves to 21-4 on the year. The win also kept Tulane undefeated against state teams at 7-0 with a rematch with Southern slated for Nov. 5 in Baton Rouge.
"I thought everyone played well, especially Deva and Kim," head coach Betsy Becker said. "Southern has been decimated with injuries, so they weren't able to play to the best of their abilities. But we kept our composure, played relaxed and were really sharp.
"I also thought we were all really into this match, including our crowd. They were loud, got into the action, and I hope they can come back this weekend. We play our final two home matches of the regular season on Friday and Saturday, and even though we still have the conference tournament here at Fogelman, it would be nice to have a similar crowd this weekend."
Tulane led Southern in every statistical category, including kills (48-13), digs (40-28) and blocks (9-2). The Green Wave defense limited the Lady Jags to a -.095 (13 kills, 21 errors, 84 swings) while the offense posted a .438 mark (48 kills, nine errors, 89 swings).
Fowler and Swafford tied for team-high kill honors with 11 each while Folwer led the squad with five blocks and tied for the service ace lead with junior outside hitter Anastasia Kenon with four apiece. Fowler, meanwhile, had a pair of service aces, four digs and three blocks as the Green Wave matched their win total of a year ago.
Kenon was next for Tulane with nine kills, followed by fellow junior outside hitter Lindsey Norman with seven. Norman led the Tulane defense with 13 digs. Kenon tallied six digs in the win, while sophomore setter Katie Case and freshman defensive specialist Dina Lossi - seeing extensive action for the first time in 2003 - were next with five each.
Southern's Krystal Young led the Lady Jags with five kills while Tanisha McGill paced the visitors with seven digs.
The Green Wave returns to action on Friday, Oct. 31, when they celebrate family night against East Carolina, close out the regular-season home schedule on Saturday, Nov. 1 when Tulane will honor its four-member senior class before the against Charlotte. Both matches are slated to begin at 7 p.m.
