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9/19/2002 - Women's Volleyball
Mids to Face Howard Friday Night in Volleyball

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The Navy volleyball team will play its final match prior to the start of the Patriot League season Friday night when the Midshipmen play host to Howard in a 7 p.m. match at Macdonough Hall.

Navy (6-6) most recently participated in the Columbia Classic last weekend in New York City. The Mids lost a pair of matches to Manhattan and the host Lions, while winning up a pair of matches over Rider and Wagner. Rightside hitter Ashley Van Hartesvelt (So., Breckenridge, Colo.) led Navy offensively on the weekend with 35 kills, while outside hitter Erica McElroy (Sr., Henderson, Nev.) hauled in a Navy-best 28 digs in the four matches. Van Hartesvelt and middle blocker Kristin Davidson (So., Lexington Park, Md.) each tallied 11 blocks in New York.

The Lady Bison (3-3) were in action Tuesday night and won a four-game match against Maryland-Eastern Shore. Howard has lost a pair of matches to Patriot League foes American and Bucknell, beat Coppin State in three games and lost in three to Robert Morris. Navy has defeated both Coppin State and Robert Morris already this season, and will play at Maryland-Eastern Shore later in the campaign.

Jerri Hayes has totaled a Howard-high 84 kills and 50 blocks this season, while Mercedes Posey is averaging a team-best 1.84 kills a game. As a team, Howard is hitting .137 on the year and is allowing foes to hit .215.

Each of the last two matches between the two schools has been extended to fifth games, with Navy eventually prevailing in both outings. Navy holds a 16-3 lead in the series, which dates back to 1978, but is just 3-2 in matches played since Navy moved to the Division I level in 1991.

"Howard's record is deceiving as it has played a number of close games which could have gone either way," said Navy head coach Mike Schwob. "We have to concentrate on what happens on our side of the net. Friday is our last match before Army and the start of the league season, so it is important for us to fine-tune what we are doing on the court and make sure we are ready for the start of the season."

The Midshipmen open their Patriot League season Friday, Sept. 27, when Navy plays host to Army in the Star Match in Macdonough Hall. The following night, Navy will also take on Holy Cross on the Yard.