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Lady Eagle volleyball gears up for season opener

The Lady Eagles embark on a new era in 2001. New rules and new faces, including a new coach, make for a challenging season. Southern Miss opens the season at the Troy State Trojan Labor Day Classic, Aug. 31-Sept. 1. In the last 15 season, Southern Miss has opened the season 10 times with a tournament. The Lady Eagles own a 4-6 record in season-opening tournaments.

Southern Miss returns three starters from last year's team that posted a 12-19 record and finished 10th in Conference USA. Leading the way is the lone senior Kelly Tribble, who finished the 2000 season with 338 kills. Also returning is junior setter Crystal Zane who recorded 1,098 assists last season.

Southern Miss has played Troy State six times and owns a 3-3 record against the Trojans. The Lady Eagles have never played Belmont or Bethune-Cookman.

Following the tournament, the Lady Eagles return home, Sept. 5, against Nicholls State.