Volleyball To Host Rice, Houston In Fogelman Over Weekend
Nov 5, 2009 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 5, 2009
NEW ORLEANS - The Tulane University volleyball team will open a three-match homestand to close out the 2009 regular season on Friday, Nov. 6, when the Green Wave play host to Conference USA foe Rice at 7 p.m. in Fogelman Arena.
The contest against the Owls is one of two matches slated for the weekend as Tulane will take on league rival Houston on Sunday, Nov. 8, in a nationally-televised game carried live by CBS College Sports Network. Following the weekend's matches, the Green Wave will close out the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 14, with a showdown against UTEP at 7 p.m.
"This weekend's matches are big, not only for us but for the whole conference," first-year Tulane head volleyball coach Sinisa Momic said. "We came down to the final two weeks and it looks like there are four or five teams fighting for the conference championship and there are definitely up to seven teams that can beat each other.
"We really don't know what's going to develop with the finish of conference this year, so we're just going to take this one match at a time. We're going to hope for the best and will just for every to develop and see who comes out on top going into the conference tournament."
Tulane enters Friday's match 15-7 on the year, 10-3 in Conference USA and looking to bounce back from a tough, 3-1 loss at Tulsa on Sunday, Nov. 1.
As a team, the Green Wave are averaging 13.58 kills, 12.56 assists, 15.14 digs and 1.96 blocks per set. Sophomore outside hitter Visnja Djurdjevic leads the squad with 4.21 kills per set, while senior setter Rachel Lindelow has a team-best 10.92 assist-per-set average. Senior libero Jenn Miller paces the club with 3.93 digs per contest and junior middle blocker Lindsey Shepard headlines the team with 1.02 blocks per outing.
Tulane is hitting .229 (1141-439-3061) on the season while allowing opponents to attack at a .193 clip (1021-450-2964). Green Wave opponents are averaging 12.15 kills, 11.39 assists, 15.71 digs and 2.29 blocks per set so far in 2009.
Rice comes to town 16-8 on the year, 8-5 in C-USA play and looking to build on a two-match winning streak after sweeping East Carolina and Marshall at home last weekend.
As a team, the Owls are averaging 14.89 kills, 13.94 assists, 18.19 digs and 1.99 blocks per set. Ashleigh McCord paces Rice with 3.86 kills per set while Meredith Schamun averages 11.98 assists per stanza. Tracey Lam leads the team with 5.57 digs per set and Natalie Bogan headlines the front-row defense with 0.98 blocks per set.
Rice is hitting .239 (1301-483-3455) for the year while allowing its opponents to connect at a .166 clip (1064-503-3379). Owl opponents are averaging 12.09 kills, 10.99 assists, 15.98 digs and 2.20 blocks per set.
Houston, meanwhile, will play UTEP on Friday before heading to New Orleans for Sunday's televised contest. The Cougars enter the week 9-19 on the year, 6-7 in league action and winners of its last two matches.
As a team, the Cougars are averaging 11.82 kills, 11.04 assists, 14.62 digs and 1.93 blocks per set. Kinsey Cave paces Houston with 3.51 kills per set while Tara Roenicke averages 9.63 assists per stanza. Amanda Carson leads the team with 4.23 digs per set and Chandace Tryon headlines the front-row defense with 0.88 blocks per set.
Houston is hitting .172 (1206-600-3525) for the year while allowing its opponents to connect at a .207 clip (1301-557-3593). Cougar opponents are averaging 12.75 kills, 11.44 assists, 14.24 digs and 2.34 blocks per set.
"We have a chance to be champions, to win the tournament and go to the NCAAs," Momic said. "We have a chance to do all of those things. All we can do is prepare, play our best and see what happens. We're up there with three or four teams, so we'll see how it plays out in the end."
For ticket information to any of the Wave's final three home matches, contact the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased in person on the first floor of the James W. Wilson, Jr. Center, over the phone at 504-861-WAVE or via the internet at www.TulaneGreenWave.com. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the match at the ticket counter in Fogelman Arena.
