Sept. 10, 2007

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- - The Lady Eagle volleyball team will host Nicholls State in non-conference volleyball action on Tuesday night in Reed Green Coliseum. It's the first match played in the Coliseum since Sept. 30, when the Golden Eagles played East Carolina.

Fans are encouraged to wear Hawaiian style clothing, and prizes will be awarded to those in the best Hawaiian outfits. Leis will also be handed out to everyone in attendance.

Southern Miss (3-7) is coming off a 3-0 loss to No. 5 UCLA in the UC Irvine/Nike Invitational. Morgan Johnson earned all-tournament honors following her tournament performance of 31 kills, 24 digs and 10 total blocks.

Johnson continues to lead the team with 101 kills, followed closely by Ashley Petrinec with 91. Four other players have 45 or more kills on the season. Maia Ivanova leads the team in digs (144) and service aces (13). Freshman Jillian Neave is averaging 11.22 assist per game.

Nicholls State (2-9) is coming off a 3-0 loss to Austin Peay in the Memphis Tiger Invitational. Kindra Halverson was named to the all-tournament team for her performance. Rachel Spreen leads the Colonels in kills with 86, with Halverson closely behind at 83. Four players have 50 or more kills on the season. Head Coach Chris Laird is in his third season. The Southern Miss grad returns five starters from last year's team.

Following the Nicholls State match, Southern Miss hits the road for its fourth tournament when the Golden Eagles travel to Montgomery to play in the Alabama State Tournament, Sept. 14-15, facing Alabama A&M and Southern on Friday and conclude with Alabama State and Mississippi Valley on Saturday.