Volleyball Opens Conference USA Championship vs. East Carolina Thursday
11/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 19, 2008
TULSA, Okla. - The fifth-seeded University of Tulsa volleyball team opens the defense of its Conference USA tournament title Thursday at 2 p.m. against 12th-seeded East Carolina in the 2008 Conference USA Volleyball Championship at the Elma Roane Field House in Memphis, Tenn.
The Golden Hurricane won the 2007 C-USA Volleyball Championship after defeating Memphis, Marshall and UAB, earning its first NCAA Tournament bid in school history. This season, the Hurricane opens with East Carolina, with the winner of the match squaring off against Houston on Friday.
"I think we are in a situation where there are multiple teams that have the ability to come out of this thing," Tulsa head coach Ed Allen said of the C-USA Championship. I think any of the top five has a great chance to come out of it. Certainly Tulane, UAB, Rice and Houston are very formidable opponents that I think possess different challenges on given nights. I think it should be maybe the most competitive conference tournament that I have been a part of since being at Tulsa. We are just excited about the opportunity to get out there and defend the title."
The Hurricane averages a .223 attack percentage (1536 kills, 607 errors in 4158 attempts), with 12.80 kills, 11.81 assists and 0.88 aces per set. The Hurricane defense holds opposing teams to a .193 attack percentage and 13.18 kills per set, and averages 14.18 digs and 2.06 blocks per set.
ECU carries a .173 attack percentage (1364 kills, 684 errors in 3932 attempts), with 11.76 kills, 10.49 assists and 1.01 aces per set. On defense, the Pirates hold opponents to a .201 attack percentage and 12.75 kills per set, and average 13.12 digs and 2.00 blocks per set.
Leading Tulsa into the tournament is senior outside hitter Beth Hodge, who averages 3.48 kills per set (348 kills), and 268 digs (2.68 dig per set). Junior outside hitter Jennifer Eichler leads the team with 384 kills (3.20 k/s), and hits a .280 attack percentage. She has also blocked 81 attacks, including 10 solo blocks. Freshman setter Rachel Vukson leads the team with 988 assists, an average of 10.29 per set.
Defensively, the Golden Hurricane is led by senior libero Malorey Grove who has 432 digs (3.60 dig/s) and senior defensive specialist Kelsey Wood with 294 digs (2.45 dig/s). Junior middle hitter Julia Kenealy leads the squad with 118 total blocks, 11 solo blocks, 107 block assists and 0.99 blocks per set. Sophomore middle hitter Hannah Stout is second on the team 88 total blocks and 80 block assists. She also leads the Hurricane with a .282 attack percentage.
Tulsa leads East Carolina in the all-time series 3-1, dating to the 2005 season. The Golden Hurricane defeated the Pirates 3-1 back on Oct. 24 in Greenville, N.C. TU has won three straight against ECU, which won the teams' initial meeting 3-1 in 2005. Tulsa has won all three matchups with Allen as head coach of the Golden Hurricane.
For all Tulsa volleyball news and information, visit www.TulsaHurricane.com.
