Lady Chargers roll into top 25
Antoine Bell, UAH Sports Information
The Lady Charger volleyball team raised some eyebrows with their performance over the weekend at the University of Tampa Invitational.
With wins over a pair of nationally ranked teams, North Florida #22 and Tampa #5, the Lady Chargers powered their way into the top 25 at No. 17 in this weeks AVCA Division II National Poll.
The only other Gulf South Conference school appearing in the poll is rival North Alabama, who climbed into the No. 1 spot without firing a shot.
The Lady Chargers will face another ranked team this weekend in the North Alabama/Ramada Inn Classic. UAH faces #4 South Dakota State Sunday night.
Next Week's Matches: August 31 vs. Henderson State in Florence, AL, 2:00 p.m.; September 1-2 at the UNA Tournament in Florence (Hillsdale, Findlay, #4 South Dakota State)
AVCA Poll (8/28/01)
Rank School (First-Place-Votes) Pts Record LW
1 North Alabama (23) 837 0-0 2
2 Hawai'i Pacific (5) 770 1-0 4
3 West Texas A&M (2) 757 3-1 1
4 South Dakota State (1) 717 3-0 7
5 Cal State-San Bernardino (1) 708 4-0 9
6 Western State, Colo. (2) 622 4-0 25
7 Augustana, S.D. 610 2-2 3
8 North Dakota State (1) 605 4-0 12
9 Nebraska-Kearney 580 3-1 10
10 Northwood, Mich. 564 4-0 11
11 University of Tampa 550 2-1 5
12 Barry 517 3-0 14
13 Northern Colorado 442 2-2 8
14 Nebraska-Omaha 405 0-0 13
15 Truman 387 4-0 15
16 BYU-Hawai'i 347 0-0 17
17 Alabama-Huntsville 272 3-0 NR
18 Regis 226 3-1 NR
19 Cal State-Bakersfield 219 3-1 16
20 Northern Kentucky 164 0-0 21
21 Cal State L.A. 163 1-3 6
22 UC San Diego 157 3-1 NR
23 Northern Michigan 145 4-0 NR
24 Central Missouri State 134 2-1 19
25 Metro State 133 2-2 23
Others receiving points and listed on two or more ballots:
Grand Valley State (87), Minnesota-Duluth (71),
North Florida (66), Rockhurst (60), Cameron (26),
Seattle Pacific (7), Abilene Christian (3)
Lady Chargers come out blazing in Tampa
Antoine Bell, UAH Sports Information
If the UAH volleyball team's opening weekend is any indication of what's to come in Charger Athletics this year, it's going to be a lot of fun. The Lady Chargers got off to a 2-0 start with a pair of victories in the University of Tampa Invitational Tournament on Saturday. Then on Sunday, the Lady Chargers swept host and fifth ranked Tampa 30-26, 30-26, and 30-23 to improve to 3-0.
The wins over North Florida and Tampa were the first ever for the Lady Chargers.
The Lady Charger spikers notched the first win of any UAH team this year, beating California University of Pennsylvania 3-1 (30-24, 29-31, 30-28, 30-21). Ellen LaFiore led the charge with 17 kills and 11 digs. Lindsay Dunham added 16 kills, Melissa Feldmann 12 and Erin Denny 11. Cathryn Sterling paced the defense with 18 digs and Jane Baumgartner had 47 assists.
Then, the Lady Chargers knocked off No. 22 North Florida (0-1) in five, 19-30, 30-23, 30-21, 21-30 and 15-10. Again, it was LaFiore who led the way with 23 kills. Feldmann finished with 12 kills, Denny 11 and Dunham 10. Baumgartner passed out 46 assists.
On Sunday, the Lady Chargers came out fired up against the No. 5 Spartans (1-1). LaFiore continued her torrid pace, finishing the game with 21 kills. She also had six service aces. Denny followed with 12 kills and Dunham chipped in 11.
The Lady Chargers will try to make it four in a row when they travel to Florence to face Henderson State on Friday. Then, the Lady Chargers with face Hillsdale, Findlay and South Dakota State in the UNA Invitational tournament on Saturday and Sunday. The Lady Chargers play their first home match on Saturday, September 15th against West Florida.
UAH-California (PA) Boxscore
UAH-North Florida Boxscore
UAH-Tampa Boxscore
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