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News Release

Retriever Volleyball Faces Binghamton at the RAC Sunday in Key America East Showdown

10/18/2008

Freshman Alyssa Lang and the Retrievers face the Bearcats Sunday at 2 p.m.

BALTIMORE--The UMBC volleyball team looks to extend its six-match winning streak against America East rival Binghamton. The Retrievers (15-6, 4-0 AEC) defeated both Stony Brook and Hartford in straight sets last weekend to set their best conference start since joining the America East. If you can not make it to the RAC, both live stats and live video are available for the match.

The Week Ahead:

Date                 Opponent                     Time:

10/19                Binghamton                   2 p.m.

10/24                Albany                          7 p.m.

The Past Week:

Date                 Opponent                     Result:

10/12                Stony Brook                  W, 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-18)

10/15                Towson                         W, 3-1 (16-25, 25-21, 25-17, 25-16)

On the Bearcats: Binghamton comes into the match 9-12 and 4-1 in the America East after losing a straight-set decision to Albany Friday night. Sophomore hitter Anna Lejina posted 12 kills and sophomore hitter Michelle McDonough scooped up 13 digs while contributing six kills in the loss.

UMBC vs. Binghamton All-Time: Binghamton controls the all-time series, 9-3. Last October, the Retrievers fell to the Bearcats twice in three days by scores of 1-3 and 0-3. Sophomore Kira Giles recorded double-doubles in both matches.

DAWG BITES

Oscars Leads Retrievers to First America East 4-0 Start in School History

Junior Ashley Oscars led the Retrievers with 24 kills (4 kps) and tied for the team lead with six assisted blocks (1 bps) in two America East victories over Hartford and Stony Brook. The junior hit nine kills along with three service aces in a straight-set victory over the Hawks on Friday before hitting .394 with 15 kills while adding five assisted blocks in a three-set win over the Seawolves on Sunday. With the wins, UMBC has won its first four conference matchups since joining the America East in 2003. The last time the Retrievers accomplished the feat was back in 2002 as part of the Northeast Conference.

Spaay Earns Second Consecutive America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week

Freshman Allie Spaay has been named America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the week ending Oct. 12. This is the second consecutive week Spaay has been honored and UMBC has won all seven awards so far this season. Freshman Alyssa Lang earned the first five awards.

Spaay directed the Retrievers offense with 58 assists (9.67 aps) in conference wins at Hartford and Stony Brook, while tying for the team lead with six total blocks for the week. The freshman earned 28 assists with two service aces against the Hawks on Friday, before adding 30 assists, six digs and six total blocks against the Seawolves on Sunday.

Retrievers Moving Up the Charts

Sophomore Bridget Scheetz has moved into fifth place all-time in Retriever history with 189 assisted blocks for her career and needs two more to move into fourth place. Scheetz is also in a tie for seventh all-time on the single-season chart with 77 assisted blocks this season. Junior Sarah Ball is moving up the career list as well, now ranking eighth all-time with 146, while junior Kira Giles is right behind in ninth with 131.

Junior Kira Giles currently ranks sixth all-time in assists at UMBC with 2,216. With 48 assists in the victory over Duquesne, Giles became the sixth player in UMBC history with 2,000 assists or more. The next highest is Judy Jackson with 2,481.

Both junior Sarah Ball and junior Ashley Oscars are making their mark in the top 10 in career kills in UMBC history. Oscars currently has 912, tied for ninth on the list while Ball has 793 in her career. Both players are in the top 10 in career attacks as well. Oscars currently holds sixth place with 2,722 attacks, with Ball in 10th with 2,456.

RETRIEVER STAT PAK

2008 Double-Doubles

Name                           Total 1             Total 2             Opponent

Kira Giles                      32 assists         10 digs              Appalachian State

Alyssa Lang                  13 kills              10 digs              Appalachian State

Kira Giles (2)                 55 assists         24 digs              Eastern Michigan

Sabrina Hoeks               19 digs              18 kills              Eastern Michigan

Alyssa Lang (2)             19 digs              17 kills              Eastern Michigan

Kira Giles (3)                47 assists         10 digs              UMES

Kira Giles (4)                 48 assists         10 digs              Duquesne

Alyssa Lang (3)             14 digs              11 kills              Duquesne

Ashley Oscars               17 digs              11 kills              NJIT

Allie Spaay                    34 assists         10 digs              Loyola

Kira Giles (5)                 40 assists         10 digs              Sacred Heart

Ashley Oscars (2)          11 kills              10 digs              Sacred Heart

Alyssa Lang (4)             16 digs              10 kills              George Washington

Sarah Ball                     11 kills              11 digs              James Madison

Alyssa Lang (5)             12 kills              10 digs              Maine

Allie Spaay (2)               41 assists         12 digs              Maine

Kira Giles (6)                 29 assists         12 digs              Towson

Individual Highs

Stat                  Mark    Name                           Opponent

Kills                  18         Sabrina Hoeks               Eastern Michigan

Assists             55         Kira Giles                      Eastern Michigan

Digs                  31         Pam Jarrett                   Eastern Michigan

Total Blocks      10         Bridget Scheetz             Duquesne

Service Aces     5          Bridget Scheetz             Niagara, New Hampshire

UMBC in America East Charts (As of 10/13/08)

Hitting Percentage

     Name                      Stat

7.   Bridget Scheetz       .261

Kills per Set

     Name                      Stat

8.   Alyssa Lang             2.91

9.   Ashley Oscars         2.83

Assists per Set

     Name                      Stat

5.   Kira Giles                8.95

Service Aces per Set

     Name                      Stat

7.   Pam Jarrett              0.31

      Bridget Scheetz       0.31

      Alyssa Lang            0.31

      Sabrina Hoeks         0.31

Blocks per Set

     Name                      Stat

2.   Bridget Scheetz       1.07

7.   Sarah Hill                0.86

Digs per Set

     Name                      Stat

3.   Pam Jarrett              3.49

10.  Alyssa Lang            2.73

Service Aces per Set   Stat

1.   UMBC                     1.80

Digs per Set                 Stat

1.   UMBC                     14.90

Retrievers in the All-Time Charts (As of 10/18/08)

UMBC Career Assists

      Name                                 Assists              Years

1.   Lanae Baker                        4,722                1995-98

2.   Megan Gross                       3,647                2002-05

3.   Heather Hollidge                   3,034                1999-00

4.   Joy Figueredo                      2,501                1990-91

5.   Judy Jackson                       2,481                1993-94

6.   Kira Giles                           2,216                2006-Present

7.   Stacey Pirotte                      1,272                1992

8.   Tracey Cullins                      1,153                1988-91

9.   Stacey Carroll                      1,128                2004-07

10. Carla Miala                          570                   1997

UMBC Career Kills

      Name                                 Kills                 Years

1.       Kelly O’Brien                       2,161                1990-93

2.       Lisa Cline                            1,869                1995-98

3.       Megan McNamara                1,536                1995-98

4.       Dana Eberly                        1,311                1993-96

5.       Jocelyn Teoh                       1,288                2001-04

6.       Rehena Rentuma                 1,064                1986, 88-91

7.       Joanne Marshall                   988                   1996-00

8.       Kara Welniak                       955                   1997-00

9.       Jennifer Davis                      912                   1999-03

      Ashley Oscars                    912                   2006-Present

      Sarah Ball                         793                   2005-Present

UMBC Career Attacks

      Name                                 Attacks Years

1.       Kelly O’Brien                       5,055                1990-93

2.       Lisa Cline                            4,403                1995-98

3.       Megan McNamara                4,188                1995-98

4.       Joeelyn Teoh                       3,458                2001-04

5.       Dana Eberly                        3,172                1993-96

6.   Ashley Oscars                    2,722                2006-Present

7.       Tracey Cullins                      2,593                1988-91

8.       Joanne Marshall                   2,590                1996-00

9.   Rehena Rentuma                 2,534                1986, 88-91

10. Sarah Ball                          2,456                2005-Present

UMBC Career Assisted Blocks

      Name                                 AB                    Years

1.   Kara Welniak                       299                   1997-00

2.   Jessie Folk                          245                   2003-06

3.   Jennifer Davis                       227                   1999-03

4.   Dana Eberly                         191                   1993-96

5.   Bridget Scheetz                 189                   2007-Present

6.   Jocelyn Teoh                       180                   2001-04

7.   Ashley Hargrove                   157                   2005-06

8.   Sarah Ball                          146                   2005-Present

9.   Kira Giles                           131                   2006-Present

10. Rehena Rentuma                  129                   1986, 88-91

UMBC Single-Season Assisted Blocks

      Name                                 AB                    Years

1.   Bridget Scheetz                   112                   2007

2.   Kara Welniak                       93                     1999

3.   Tiffany Johnson                    89                     2007

4.   Kara Welniak                       87                     1998

5.   Ashley Hargrove                   82                     2005

      Dana Eberly                         82                     1995

7.   Jessie Folk                          77                     2004

      Bridget Scheetz                 77                     2008     

9.   Jessie Folk                          75                     2003

      Ashley Hargrove                   75                     2006

RETRIEVER VOLLEYBALL NEWS ARCHIVE

Scheetz Leads Retriever Offense to Perfect Start to America East Play

Sophomore Bridget Scheetz was dominant in victories over New Hampshire and Maine, as UMBC opened America East play with two crucial victories. Scheetz led the Retrievers with 30 kills, 10 total blocks and six service aces. The St. Louis, Mo. native had a game-high 13 kills and five aces against UNH before hitting 17 kills and earning eight total blocks against the Black Bears.

Spaay Wins America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week

Freshman Allie Spaay has been named America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the week ending Oct. 5.

Spaay directed the Retrievers' offense with 80 assists in eight sets for an average of 10 assists per set, leading UMBC in conference wins over New Hampshire and Maine this past week. Spaay averaged 13 assists per set in a straight-set victory over New Hampshire before posting her second double-double of the season against Maine with 41 assists and 12 digs. Spaay receives this honor for the first time this season.

Lang Ties Record for Most Consecutive America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week Honors

Freshman Alyssa Lang has been named America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the fifth consecutive week to start the season, for the week ending Sept. 28.

Lang ties teammate Ashley Oscars for the most consecutive rookie of the week awards. Oscars turned the feat in 2006 and went on to win the top rookie honor that season. Lang led the Retrievers, and the league, last week with 4.0 kills per set in two matches. The rookie also served up five aces for the week. She hit .279 against James Madison on Tuesday with 14 kills against only two errors before hitting another 14 kills in a straight-set victory over Morgan State on Thursday.

Lang Takes Home Fourth Straight America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week Award

Freshman Alyssa Lang has been named America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the fourth consecutive week to start the season, for the week ending Sept. 21.

Lang was second on the Retrievers last week with 23 kills (2.56 kps) and led all freshmen in the league in that category. The rookie put up more digs (45 total, 5.00 dps) than any other player in America East last week as she helped lead UMBC to its first win over George Washington in 17 matches between the two schools. On her way to being named to the West Virginia Volleyball Classic All-Tournament team, Lang also collected five service aces. She recorded her fourth double-double of the season in the win over George Washington, earning 10 kills and 16 digs.

Lang Grabs Third Straight America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week

Freshman Alyssa Lang has been named America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the third consecutive week, the conference announced on Sept. 15. Lang becomes the first Retriever to be named Rookie of the Week three times in a row since junior Ashley Oscars accomplished the feat in 2006.

She recorded 40 kills (3.08 kps) last week, helping the Retrievers go undefeated at the NJIT Highlanders Challenge and being named to the All-Tournament team. The Richmond, Va. native hit seven kills against no errors in a very close loss to Villanova Tuesday night. Against Loyola on Saturday, Lang earned 13 kills against only two errors in the win. She finished the week third on the team with 31 digs (2.38 dps). Lang continues to lead all rookies in the conference with just a shade under 3.0 kills per set (2.98 kps).

Ball, Lang take All-Tournament team honors at NJIT Highlander Challenge

UMBC traveled to Newark, N.J. Sept. 12-13 to take part in the NJIT Highlander Challenge and came home with three victories. The Retrievers defeated host NJIT Friday night, 3-0, before overpowering Loyola, 3-0, and Sacred Heart, 3-1.

Junior Sarah Ball and freshman Alyssa Lang were named to the All-Tournament team. Ball finished the weekend with a .341 hitting percentage, earning 15 kills against only one error, while adding eight total blocks and three service aces. Lang led UMBC with 33 kills for the weekend, while adding 26 digs.

Lang Takes Home Second Straight America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week

UMBC volleyball freshman Alyssa Lang has been named America East Conference Rookie of the Week for the week ending Sept. 7.

It is the second week in a row Lang has earned the award. Lang continued her outstanding freshman campaign by winning back-to-back rookie of the week awards to open the season. Last week she led the Retrievers with 48 kills (3.0 kps) and was second on the team with 39 digs (2.44 dps). Lang recorded her third double-double of the season in a victory over previously-unbeaten Duquesne Saturday night, earning 11 kills and 14 digs. She recorded 14 kills each against Niagara and UMES on Friday. Against Howard on Tuesday, she added nine kills against only three errors and a team-high eight digs. Lang is averaging 2.93 kills per set for the season, the top number for an America East rookie in 2008.

Lang Named First America East Rookie of the Week for 2008

UMBC volleyball freshman Alyssa Lang earned the America East Conference Rookie of the Week award for the first week ending Aug. 31.

Lang is the first recipient of the Rookie of the Week award for the 2008 season, and the fourth Retriever in a row to win the first conference weekly award. Sophomore Bridget Scheetz earned the first weekly rookie award in 2007, while juniors Kira Giles and Sarah Ball took the awards in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

Lang ranked as the top freshman in the America East in aces with seven, digs (2.75 dps) and kills (2.83 kps) last week. She picked up her first two double-doubles of her collegiate career Saturday in the Tribe Invitational where UMBC went 2-1. Lang was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts, which included a 13-kill, 10-dig performance against Appalachian State, and 17 kills and 19 digs against Eastern Michigan.