UAH senior middle blocker Ellen LaFiore and West Alabama middle blocker Becky Stone (JR, 6-1, Vernon, AL) are the Gulf South Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for the period ending Sept. 2.

LaFiore helped the Chargers tally a 3-1 mark at the North Alabama/Ramada Inn Classic, earning All-Tournament honors while registering 56 kills (4.67 kpg) and a .420 hitting percentage in 12 games. The 5-11, Ballwin, Missouri native also had six service aces.

Despite the loss to No. 4 South Dakota State, the Lady Chargers moved up three spots to No. 14 in the latest AVCA/Division II National poll. After earning its first ever spot in the Top 25, the Lady Chargers (6-1) will take their highest rank in school history into the Central Missouri State University Classic where they will face two more top 20 foes. On Friday, UAH faces No. 24 and host Central Missouri State. Then on Saturday, the Lady Chargers will battle No. 22 Rockhurst.

This Week's Matches: September 7-8 at the Central Missouri State Invitational Tournament in Warrensburg, MO (Washburn, #24 Central Missouri State, Wisconsin-Parkside, #22 Rockhurst)

Lady Chargers suffer first loss...finish week 3-1
The 17th ranked Lady Chargers lost for the first time this season, falling to No. 4 South Dakota State 3-0 in the UNA/Ramada Inn Classic. The loss dropped the Lady Chargers to 6-1 and put a halt to a six game winning streak. In other matches this week, the Lady Chargers blanked Henderson State, Hillsdale and Findlay 3-0.

UAH def. Henderson State 30-19, 30-26, 30-16

Melissa Feldmann and Lindsay Dunham had 12 kills each to lead the Lady Chargers over GSC West rival Henderson State. Ellen LaFiore added 11 kills, Jane Baumgartner chipped in 35 assists and Cathryn Sterling 14 digs.

The Lady Charger defense was sufficating against the Lady Reddies attack. Henderson State managed only 29 kills and a .184 hitting percentage in the match, including .038 in the final game.

UAH def. Hillsdale 30-19, 30-25, 30-23

In the Saturday match, a battle between northern Chargers (Hillsdale) and southern Chargers, the UAH Lady Chargers came out on top. The defense was again stifling, holding Hillsdale to a .055 hitting percentage.

However, the Lady Chargers had to work up a serious sweat to beat Hillsdale. After cruising through the first game, Hillsdale didn't go quietly in the final two sessions. But, in the end, the Lady Chargers picked up their fifth straight win.

Ellen LaFiore and Erin Denny had 11 kills to lead the UAH attack. Lindsay Dunham added 10 kills. Jane Baumgartner dished out 39 assists, while Cathryn Sterling had 11 digs.

UAH def. Findlay 30-26, 30-24, 30-17

On Sunday, the Lady Chargers had to fire their rounds through a virtual forest in the tall front line of the Findlay Lady Oilers. The Lady Oilers' average around 6'2 across the front, but the Lady Chargers found openings to attack.

After a tight first game, UAH wore down their Ohio foe. Over the last two games, the Lady Chargers outscored Findlay 60-41.

Ellen LaFiore paced the Lady Chargers with 14 kills, nine digs and six blocks. Lindsay Dunham had 12 kills and Erin Denny 10 kills, while Jane Baumgartner dished out 42 assists.

#4 South Dakota State def. UAH 30-22, 30-22, 30-27

The Lady Charger roll came to a sudden stop as fourth ranked South Dakota State handed UAH its first loss of the season.

The Lady Chargers were only outgunned 52 kills to 46, but 21 errors sliced the UAH hitting percentage to .210. SDSU meanwhile hit .312 for the match. The winners also had 11 service aces and 16 team blocks.

Ellen LaFiore had 20 kills for the Lady Chargers and was named to the All-Tournament team. Feldmann finished with 13 digs and Lindsay Dunham 11. Jane Baumgartner had 37 assists.

AVCA Poll (9/4/01)

Rank	School (First-Place-Votes)	Pts	Record	LW
1	Hawai'i Pacific (29)		852	6-0	2
2	West Texas A&M (3)		813	7-1	3
3	Cal St.-San Bernardino (2)	758	8-0	5
4	North Alabama 		737	3-1	1
5	North Dakota State 		719	8-1	8
6	Western State, Colo. (1)	683	7-1	6
7	Truman			680	7-0	15
8	Northwood, Mich.		583	8-0	10
9	Nebraska-Kearney 		582	7-1	9
10	Barry			545	5-0	12
11	South Dakota State 		538	5-2	4
12	University of Tampa		510	4-1	11
13	BYU-Hawai'i 		425	4-1	16
14	Alabama-Huntsville		417	6-1	17
15	Augustana, S.D.		377	4-4	7
16	Regis			357	5-3	18
17	Metro State		319	5-3	25
18	Cal State-Bakersfield		282	3-1	19
19	Northern Kentucky		208	3-2	20
20	UC San Diego		154	4-2	22
21	Northern Michigan		144	5-1	23
22	Rockhurst			116	8-1	NR
23	Seattle Pacific		115	7-1	NR
24-tie	Michigan Tech		94	4-1	NR
24-tie	Central Missouri State	94	4-3	24

Others receiving points and listed on two or more ballots:
Northern Colorado (93), Cameron (42), Grand Valley State (32), 
Nebraska-Omaha (22), Wayne State, Neb. (20), North Florida (20), 
Cal State L.A. (19), Armstrong Atlantic State (6), Minnesota-Duluth (3), 
Abilene Christian (3).