Aug. 21, 2007

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- - The Lady Eagle volleyball team opens the regular season at the State Farm Bearcat Invitational hosted by Cincinnati, Aug. 24-25. Southern Miss plays former C-USA opponent Cincinnati on Friday night, followed by matches with University of Maryland and Oakland University on Saturday.

Southern Miss is coming off a 15-18 season under fourth-year coach Ricci Luyties. The Lady Eagles, led by four seniors - middle blocker Morgan Johnson, middle blocker Amanda Huntoon, opposite side hitter Mari Ruddick and setter Kristen Metz - return 84 percent of their offense and 73 percent of their defense. Also returning with the quartet are juniors Ashley Petrinec and Stevi Cherry and sophomores Angela Hlavaty, Maia Ivanova and Amy Flarity. Hlavaty led the team in kills (328), while Huntoon led the team in blocks (120) and Ivanova led the team in digs (510). Johnson was second on the team in blocks (100) and Petrinec was second on the team in kills (288).

Three freshmen are among the newcomers, including Jillian Neave (Salem, Wis.), Lauren Broom (Mandeville, La.) and Katie Matlock (Oklahoma City, Okla.).

Cincinnati is coming off a 22-7 season. Head Coach Reed Sunahara, beginning his eighth season with the Bearcats, returns four starters.

Maryland is coming off a 13-18 season and Head Coach Janice Kruger begins her 20th season with the Terrapins. Maryland returns all six starters.

Oakland is coming off a 1-25 season. Head Coach Rob Beam is in his first season and returns six starters.

Following the State Farm Bearcat Invitational, Southern Miss travels to Ruston, La., for the Louisiana Tech Tournament, Aug. 31-Sept. 1.