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News Release

VOLLEYBALL NEWS AND NOTES:

9/26/2005

Jessie Folk moved into a tie for fourth place on UMBC's career assisted blocks chart last week.

Baltimore, Md. – The UMBC volleyball team is in the midst of a four-match home streak with three played this week, including the start of conference play on Friday night against Binghamton.  In the Retrievers final tune-up they will take on George Washington Tuesday night.  UMBC will host Maine on Sunday.  This week’s news and notes looks at the start of conference play, a look back at UMBC’s two wins last week and Jessie Folk moving into a tie for fourth place on UMBC all-time assited blocks chart.   

LOOKING AHEAD                                     

This Week:

9/27   George Washington at UMBC, 7:00 p.m.

9/30   Binghamton at UMBC, 7:00 p.m.

10/2   Maine at UMBC, 1:00 p.m.

UMBC Host George Washington In Final Tune-Up Before Conference Play

The Retrievers host George Washington on Tuesday night in a final tune-up before starting conference play Friday night.  The Retrievers are in the midst of a four-match home streak with the Colonials the second match in the four-match home stand.  The Colonials enter the week at 4-9 after playing some strong programs to begin the year.  The Colonials are coming off two three-set losses last week to begin Atlantic-10 play with losses to Xavier and Dayton.  UMBC and GW last met in 2002 with the Colonials sweeping UMBC in three sets.

UMBC Open Conference Play This Weekend

First year head coach Ian Blanchard will finally get a look at conference foes as UMBC host Binghamton on Friday night at 7 p.m. and Maine on Sunday at 1 p.m. in RAC Arena.  UMBC will play each team twice, once at home and once on the road in regular season play with the top-four seeds at the end of the season advancing to the conference tournament.  In two years in the America East UMBC has yet to make the conference tournament, step not far out of reach for the 2005 squad. 

The Retrievers won their first America East Conference match in 2003 when they defeated Binghamton 3-2.  Since that match, UMBC has went 0-3 against the Bearcats including losing both matches last season.  Binghamton enters the week at 8-8. 

UMBC has faced Maine five times over the last two season, holding a 2-3 record against the Black Bears.  Maine has won the last three meetings and swept UMBC in two matches last year.  Maine enters the week at 3-8 on the season. 

WEEKLY WRAP

UMBC Goes 2-0 Against Local Foes

The Retrievers returned to the winning trail with two wins last week, defeating Coppin State and Morgan State.  UMBC moved back within two games of .500 at 6-8. 

UMBC 3, Coppin State 2 (30-25, 24-30, 27-30, 30-18 15-8)

The UMBC volleyball team defeated Coppin State in five sets for a 3-2 (30-25, 24-30, 27-30, 30-18 15-8) victory Tuesday night.  UMBC was led by Angela Anderson with 24 kills and a .339 hitting percentage as she recorded a mere five errors in 56 attacks.  Anderson, who earned a spot on the all-tournament team at the Rutgers Classic last weekend, recorded 20-plus kills for the second time in the last four matches.  Anderson scored 26.5 points for UMBC, adding three block assists to her 24 kills.  Christine Skala recorded 23 digs for UMBC while Sarah Ball returned to the lineup after a four-match absence for 11 kills and nine digs.  Megan Gross and Stacey Carroll split time setting as Gross recorded a double-double with 23 assists and 16 digs while Carroll dished out 22 assists.  UMBC trailed 6-2 in the final set before going on a 13-2 run to end the match and win 15-8. 

UMBC 3, Morgan State 1 (30-22, 28-30, 30-27, 30-26)

The UMBC women’s volleyball team out dueled Morgan State for a 3-1 (30-22, 28-30, 30-27, 30-26) win at UMBC RAC Arena.  The Retrievers were led by 17 kills and 14 digs from Sarah Ball and 20 digs by Christine Skala.  The Retrievers struggled in the first two sets hitting .027 (9 kills, 8 errors) in game one and .000 (11 kills, 11 errors) in game two.  The Bears did not fair much better hitting negative .088 (8 kills, 11 errors) and .104 (13 kills, 8 errors) in game two as the two teams split the first two sets.  The Retriever offense came around in the final two sets, hitting above .200 in both sets as Ball tallied a combined 10 kills during that stretch to lead UMBC to the four-set victory.  The Retrievers took advantage of 18 service errors and eight ball handling errors by the Bears, who hit .105 as a team with 51 kills and 34 errors.  Julia Hood came off the bench for the final two sets, lifting UMBC with seven kills and a service ace.  Freshman Ashley Hargrove tallied seven kills, two aces, four digs and two total blocks for UMBC as well.  The Retrievers out blocked the Bears nine to five in the match.  UMBC as a team in .120 with 47 kills and 28 errors. 

DAWG BITES

Retriever Double-Doubles

UMBC has been led this year in the double-double category by Stacey Carroll and Sarah Ball.  Ball has eight double-doubles and Caroll has six on the year.  Last week Megan Gross tallied a double-double against Coppin State.

2005 Double-Doubles

Name                                           Total 1         Total 2                                       Opponent

Sarah Ball                                   17 Kills        14 Digs                                      vs. Morgan State (9-23-05)

Megan Gross                              23 Assists  16 Digs                                      vs. Coppin State (9-20-05)

Stacey Carroll                             55 Assists  12 Digs                                      vs. Fairfield (9-16-05)

Sarah Ball                                   23 Kills        10 Digs                                      vs. La Salle (9-10-05)

Stacey Carroll                             39 Assists  18 Digs                                      vs. La Salle (9-10-05)

Sarah Ball                                   21 Kills        14 Digs                                      vs. Delaware (9-6-05)

Stacey Carroll                             50 Assists  12 Digs                                      vs. Delaware (9-6-05)

Stacey Carroll                             35 Assists  10 Digs                                      vs. TCU (9-3-05)

Sarah Ball                                   17 Kills        11 Digs                                      vs. TCU (9-3-05)

Stacey Carroll                             59 Assists  11 Digs                                      vs. Cal Poly (9-2-05)

Sarah Ball                                   24 Kills        14 Digs                                      vs. Cal Polyl (9-2-05)

Stacey Carroll                             55 Assists  10 Digs                                      vs. Loyola (Md.) (9-2-05)

Sarah Ball                                   19 Kills        17 Digs                                      vs. Loyola (Md.) (9-2-05)

Sarah Ball                                   14 Kills        11 Digs                                      vs. Villanova (8-27-05)

Megan Gross                              44 Assists  15 Digs                                      vs. Northeastern (8-27-05)

Jessie Folk                                 15 Kills        13 Digs                                      vs. Northeastern (8-27-05)

Sarah Ball                                   11 Kills        16 Digs                                      vs. Northeastern (8-27-05)

Sarah Ball Earns All-Conference Honors For Third Time This Season

UMBC freshman Sarah Ball was named America East Conference Co-Rookie of the Week for the week ending September 25, 2005.  The award is Ball’s third weekly honor, having won conference rookie of the week the first two weeks of the season.   Ball last week led UMBC to wins in matches against Coppin State and Morgan State.  The rookie outside hitter tallied double-figures in kills in both matches, notching 11 kills against Coppin State and recording 17 kills against Morgan State.  Ball has tallied double-figure kills in all 10 matches played this season.  Ball against Morgan State added 14 digs for her eighth double-double on the year.  On the season she is averaging 3.95 kpg, 4.63 ppg and 2.88 dpg.  Ball ranks fourth in kills per game and second in points per game in the America East Conference charts.

Christine Skala Continues To Shine at Libero

UMBC senior Christine Skala continues to shine at the libero spot, averaging 4.03 dpg for the Retrievers.  Skala has seven matches with 20-plus digs to date this season including two last week.  Skala ranks in the top-five in the America East Charts entering the upcoming week. 

Anderson Making Her Presence Felt

UMBC redshirt freshman Angela Anderson, who sat out the entire 2004 season with a knee injury, is making her presence felt as of late.  Anderson is tallying 4.16 kpg over the Retrievers last five matches.  On the season she is averaging 3.20 kpg and a .213 hitting percentage.  Anderson also has nine service aces. 

Retrievers In America East Charts

A number of Retrievers early on are listed among the America East Conference chart leaders including freshmen Sarah Ball and Ashley Hargrove, sophomore setter Stacey Carroll and senior Christine Skala. 

America East Charts (as of games thru 9-26-05)

Hitting Percentage

        Name                             Mark

6.     Ashley Hargrove          .290

Kills (per game)

        Name                             Mark

4.     Sarah Ball                     3.95

9.     Angela Anderson         3.20

Assists (per game)

        Name                             Mark

5.     Stacey Carroll               10.16

Service Aces (per game)

        Name                             Mark

9.     Stacey Carroll               0.41

Blocks (per game)

        Name                             Mark

3.     Ashley Hargrove          1.04

4.     Katrina Carrick             0.96

Digs (per game)

Name                                     Mark

4.     Christine Skala            4.03

9.     Sarah Ball                     2.88

Points (per game)

Name                                     Mark

2.     Sarah Ball                     4.63

Angela Anderson Named To Embassy Suites All-Tournament Team

Redshirt freshman Angela Anderson was named to the Rutgers’ Embassy Suites Classic All-Tournament team after posting 4.33 kpg and 4.71 ppg at the tournament.  Anderson had a career match with 28 kills against Fairfield, hitting .352 with four digs and a block assist.  Anderson on the week averaged 4.00 kpg with two service aces, four total blocks and 12 digs. 

Ball Repeats As America East Rookie of the Week (9-12-05)

Sarah Ball continued her hot streak to start the season, averaging 4.38 kpg and 5.15 ppg in three matches last week. Ball tallied two more double-doubles and extended her double-digit kill streak to eight games as the rookie notched 2.46 digs per game last week. Ball against Delaware hit .300 with 21 kills and six errors on 50 attacks, leading the Retrievers from a two-set deficit to a 3-2 come-from-behind win. Ball recorded 14 digs and 23.5 points in the match. Ball's streak of consecutive double-doubles to begin her career was snapped at six after tallying 13 kills and eight digs against St. Peter’s. Ball finished the week with 23 kills, 10 digs and 26.0 points against La Salle as UMBC took that match, 3-2.

Ball Earns America East Rookie of the Week Honors, Named to George Mason All-Tournament Team (9-4-05)

UMBC freshman Sarah Ball earned America East Rookie of the Week honors and was named to the George Mason Invitational All-Tournament team on Sept. 3.  Ball recorded 4.62 kpg and 3.23 digs per game (dpg) in the three matches at the invitational.  Ball recorded three double-doubles in the tournament to increase her streak to five matches with a double-double.

Carroll Emerges With Big Weekend At George Mason Invitational

Retriever sophomore Stacey Carroll has recorded a stellar weekend at the George Mason Invitational, recording 11.46 assists per game and 149 total assists in three matches.  Carroll recorded 59 assists Cal Poly to set the tournament mark for most assists in a single match.  Carroll also tied the mark for most service aces with five against Loyola (Md.). 

13 Home Matches Highlight 2005 Schedule

UMBC hosts 13 home matches in 2005 including two tri-matches.  The Retrievers opened the season with a tri-match against Northeastern and Villanova.  After going on the road for four matches UMBC will return home to face St. Peter’s and LaSalle in another tri-match on Sept. 10.  Other highlighted dates included local rival Towson, where current head coach Ian Blanchard served as an assistant coach last year, on Sept. 13, Binghamton as the conference opener on Sept. 30, last year’s conference champion Albany on Oct. 28 and the home finale against Hartford which will include senior night ceremonies on Nov. 11.

RETRIEVER RECORD CHASING

Christine Skala Moves Into Sixth All-Time on Career Digs Chart

Christine Skala currently leads all active Retrievers in career digs with the sixth best mark all-time.  The senior libero is now chasing fifth place all-time held by Jen Jewell with 1,422 digs.  Skala entering the week has 1,258 career digs.  Megan Gross is closing in on 1,000 for her career. 

UMBC Career Digs Chart

        Name                             Digs

1.     Tracey Cullins              1,475

2.     Lanae Baker                 1,460

3.     Kelly O’Brien                 1,444

4.     Megan McNamara       1,429

5.     Jen Jewell                     1,422

6.     Christine Skala           1,258

7.     Lisa Cline                     1,197

8.     Megan Gross               937

Folk Enters The Top-10 For Total Blocks All-Time

Jessie Folk entered the top-10 for total blocks all-time, surpassing Dawn Garnes and Pam Lottes, who held the 10^th mark all-time with 182 total blocks.  Folk now has 199 career total blocks.

UMBC Career Total Blocks Chart

        Name                             Total Blocks

5.     Kelly O’Brien                 251

6.     Jocelyn Teoh                226

7.     Lisa Cline                     208

8.     Loreta Saurusaitis      205

9.     Anna Gibbs                   204

10.  Jessie Folk                   199

        Megan Gross               151

        -bold denotes active player

Folk Tied For Fourth All-Time on Assisted Blocks Chart

Jessie Folk ranks tied for fourth on UMBC’s all-time assisted blocks chart.  The junior middle blocker and opposite hitter recorded four assisted blocks last week. 

UMBC Career Assisted Blocks Chart

        Name                             Assisted Blocks

3.     Dana Eberly                  191

4.     Jocelyn Teoh                180

        Jessie Folk                   180

6.     Megan Gross               130

    -bold denotes active player

Megan Gross Ranks Second All-Time In Assists

UMBC senior Megan Gross ranks second all-time in career assists.  Gross last year become the third Retriever to ever reach 3,000 career assists.  Her current mark is 3,203 assists.

UMBC Career Assists Chart

    Name                                 Assists

1. Lanae Baker                    4,722

2. Megan Gross                   3,203

3. Heather Hollidge             3,034

    -bold denotes active player

Seniors Among All-time Matches and Games Played Leaders

Christine Skala this season joined the top-10 for matches played while Megan Gross is chasing a top-10 ranking.  Both are closing in on the games played list as well. 

UMBC Career Matches Played Chart

        Name                             Matches Played

9.     Kelly O’Brien                 113

10.  Christine Skala           107

        Megan Gross               102

        -bold denotes active player

UMBC Career Games Played Chart

        Name                             Games Played

9.     Kara Welniak                411

10.  Jennifer Davis              406

        Christine Skala           385

        Megan Gross               351

        -bold denotes active player