Volleyball looks to continue streak vs. McNeese Saturday
10/23/2009 8:15:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
After knocking off arch-rival Stephen F. Austin in five sets, the Bearkat volleyball team continues its current home stand by facing McNeese State Saturday at 4 p.m. at Johnson Coliseum.
Sam Houston's red-hot volleyball squad survived a match-point and a two sets to one deficit to come back and win Wednesday night over SFA. The victory extended the current winning streak to eight matches, the longest for Sam Houston since 1994.
The Bearkats stand in first place in the Southland Conference West Division with an 8-1 league mark. Only Central Arkansas (8-0), leaders in the East Division, are unbeaten in Southland action this year.
But the Sugar Bears still are ineligible for NCAA and Southland post-season play. Central Arkansas will not achieve full NCAA Division I status until the 2010-11 season. Thus, if the Kats continue their winning ways, Sam Houston could be the number one seed when the Southland Conference tournament opens play in San Antonio Thursday, Nov. 19.
"I couldn't be prouder of a group of young women as I was Wednesday night," SHSU head coach Brenda Gray said. "They never stopped fighting against SFA. We were having some service problems, but our defense stepped up and we kept fighting. Now, the task is to get ready for McNeese."
The Cowgirls are tied for third place in the Southland East Division. McNeese stands 15-6 for the year and 3-4 in league action. Chanel Tyler is the Cowgirls' top offensive threat with 243 kills (3.2 per set) this year.
Sam Houston's front line of Carli Kolbe, Anna Ferguson and Kim Black continues to perform.
Kolbe has 365 kills this year, Ferguson 329 and Black 127. Freshman Michelle Miller has led the Kats to a 10-6 record since taking over as the starting setter after an injury sideline junior Kym Loving. Kaylee Hawkins leads the Bearkat defense as libero with 323 digs this season.
Saturday's match with McNeese is the second in a four-match home stand. Admission to Bearkat volleyball is $5 for adults and $3 for youth. The final two matches of the home stand will be Thursday, Oct. 29, when the Kats play UTSA and Saturday, Oct. 31, when A&M-Corpus Christi visits Johnson Coliseum.
Thursday, October 29th is Volleyball Fan Appreciation Night at Johnson Coliseum with $1.00 admission for everyone.
To order tickets for all Sam Houston State home events, go on-line to www.gobearkats.com or contact the Bearkat Athletic Ticket Office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729.
