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News Release

UMBC Volleyball Travels to Maine, New Hampshire This Weekend

10/30/2008

Redshirt Sarah Hill had a career-high 15 kills at Albany on Sunday.

BALTIMORE--The UMBC volleyball team travels to New England this weekend for two key America East matchups. On Friday, the Retrievers (15-9, 4-3 AEC) take on Maine at 5 p.m. before playing at New Hampshire on Sunday at 1 p.m. UMBC has dropped three straight and will look to bounce back against two teams they already defeated at the RAC this season. Friday night could be a milestone night as junior Pam Jarrett needs one dig for 800 for her career and junior Sarah Ball will look to become only the 10th Retriever in history to gain 800 kills in a career, as she will enter the weekend with 799.  

The Week Ahead:

Date                 Opponent                     Time:

10/31                at Maine                        5 p.m.

11/2                  at New Hampshire          1 p.m.

The Past Week:

Date                 Opponent                     Result:

10/24                Albany                          L, 0-3 (18-25, 19-25, 16-25)

10/26                Albany                          L, 1-3 (13-25, 18-25, 25-15, 20-25)

On the Black Bears: The Black Bears are 10-11 on the season, including 3-4 in the America East. After dropping a five-set decision to New Hampshire on Sunday, they are tied with the Wildcats for fourth in the conference. Maine is led by Lindsay Allman, who tallied 20 kills and 23 digs in the loss. She averages 2.98 kills and 3.26 digs per set. Setter Jessica Wolfenden is tops on the team in assists, averaging 9.20 per game. Brittany Kiehl and Amy Lawson average 0.82 blocks per game a piece.

UMBC vs. Maine All-Time: UMBC is 6-7 all-time against Maine. On October 5, the Retrievers captured a five-set win against the Black Bears at home. Freshmen Allie Spaay and Alyssa Lang both recorded double-doubles, with Spaay tallying 41 assists and 12 digs, and Lang totaling 12 kills and 10 digs in the match. Sophomore Bridget Scheetz was a force at the net with 17 kills and eight total blocks.

On the Wildcats: The Wildcats are 6-17 on the season, including 3-4 in the conference.  In Sunday’s win over Maine at home, New Hampshire’s Lauren Laquerre and Pauline Acres recorded 20 and 18 kills, respectively. Setter Kate Uitti led the Wildcat attack with 52 assists, and also tallied 14 digs. She is tops on the team in assists, averaging 7.92 per set. Also leading New Hampshire this season is Kirsten Bates with a 3.41 kills per set average, and Alyse Lahti with a 4.00 digs per set average. Justine Elliott averages 0.88 blocks per game.

UMBC vs. New Hampshire All-Time: New Hampshire controls the all-time series against UMBC, 6-4. In early October, the Retrievers defeated the Wildcats in three sets to open America East Conference play. Sophomore Bridget Scheetz led the team with 13 kills and five service aces. Junior Ashley Oscars added 11 kills against only three errors, and sophomore Sabrina Hoeks was one kill away from a double-double, notching 10 digs, nine kills, and three service aces.

DAWG BITES

UMBC in the National Rankings

The Retrievers are ranked 14th in the nation in service aces, averaging 1.77 aces per set. Grambling leads the country, averaging 2.46 aps. Freshman Alyssa Lang leads the team with 29 aces. UMBC is also ranked 75th in the nation in digs, averaging 15.24 per set. IUPUI leads the nation with 18.62 per set.

Lang Ties America East Record with Seventh Volleyball Rookie of the Week Award

Freshman Alyssa Lang has been named America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the seventh time, for the week ending Oct. 26. Lang is now tied with teammates Sarah Ball and Ashley Oscars for most Rookie of the Week honors in conference history.

The freshman averaged 3.14 kills and 3.14 digs per set last week in two games against league leading Albany, and led the team with two service aces. Lang recorded nine kills Friday night, before earning her seventh double-double of the season on Sunday with 13 kills and 16 digs. She continues to lead all freshmen in America East in kills and aces.

Retrievers Moving Up the Charts

Sophomore Bridget Scheetz has moved into fourth place all-time in Retriever history with 195 assisted blocks for her career and is in a tie for 10th place all-time in total blocks with 204. Scheetz is also in fifth on the single-season chart with 83 assisted blocks this season. Junior Sarah Ball is moving up the career list as well, now ranking eighth all-time with 137, while junior Kira Giles is right behind in tenth with 128.

Junior Kira Giles currently ranks sixth all-time in assists at UMBC with 2,291. 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 948, good enough for ninth on the list, while Ball has 799 in her career. Both players are in the top 10 in career attacks as well. Oscars currently holds sixth place with 2,827 attacks, with Ball in 10th with 2,489.

Junior Sarah Ball has moved into 10th place on the all-time list for most career digs at UMBC with 870.

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 (Home)

Allie Spaay (2)               41 assists         12 digs              Maine (Home)

Kira Giles (6)                 29 assists         12 digs              Towson

Alyssa Lang (6)             14 kills              11 digs              Binghamton (Home)

Ashley Oscars (3)          14 kills              13 digs              Binghamton (Home)

Alyssa Lang (7)             16 digs              13 kills              Albany (Away)

Ashley Oscars (4)          16 kills              15 digs              Albany (Away)

Kira Giles (7)                 40 assists         11 digs              Albany (Away)

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 10/30/08)

Hitting Percentage

     Name                      Stat

9.   Bridget Scheetz       .242

Kills per Set

     Name                      Stat

9.   Ashley Oscars         2.88

10. Alyssa Lang             2.85

Assists per Set

     Name                      Stat

5.   Kira Giles                9.05

Service Aces per Set

     Name                      Stat

5.   Sabrina Hoeks         0.36

6.   Alyssa Lang            0.34

8.   Bridget Scheetz       0.32

Blocks per Set

     Name                      Stat

3.   Bridget Scheetz       1.00

Digs per Set

     Name                      Stat

3.   Pam Jarrett              3.52

10.  Alyssa Lang            2.75

Retrievers in the All-Time Charts (As of 10/30/08)

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                           2,291                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.       Ashley Oscars                    948                   2006-Present

10.   Jennifer Davis                      912                   1999-03

      Sarah Ball                         799                   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                    2,827                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                          2,489                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.   Bridget Scheetz                 195                   2007-Present

5.   Dana Eberly                         191                   1993-96

6.   Jocelyn Teoh                       180                   2001-04

7.   Ashley Hargrove                   157                   2005-06

8.   Sarah Ball                          137                   2005-Present

9.   Rehena Rentuma                 129                   1986, 88-91

10. Kira Giles                           128                   2006-Present

UMBC Career Total Blocks

      Name                                 AB                    Years

1.   Dana Eberly                         426                   1993-96

2.   Rehena Rentuma                 365                   1986, 88-91

3.   Kara Welniak                       364                   1997-00

4.   Jessie Folk                          270                   2003-06

5.   Jennifer Davis                       258                   1999-03

6.   Kelly O’Brien                       251                   1990-93

7.   Jocelyn Teoh                       226                   2001-04

8.   Lisa Cline                            208                   1995-98

9.   Loreta Saurusaitis                205                   1982-85

10. Bridget Scheetz                 204                   2007-Present

      Anna Gibbs                         204                   1992-95

UMBC Career Digs

      Name                                 Digs                 Years

1.   Christine Skala                    1,482                2002-05

2.   Tracey Cullins                      1,475                1988-91

3.   Lanae Baker                        1,460                1995-98

4.   Kelly O’Brien                       1,444                1990-93

5.   Megan McNamara                1,429                1995-98

6.   Jen Jewell                            1,422                1991-94

7.   Lisa Cline                            1,197                1995-98

8.   Megan Gross                       1,073                2002-05

9.   Jocelyn Teoh                       902                   2001-04

10.  Sarah Ball                         870                   2005-Present

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.   Bridget Scheetz                 83                     2008     

6.   Ashley Hargrove                   82                     2005

      Dana Eberly                        82                     1995  

8.   Jessie Folk                          77                     2004

9.   Jessie Folk                          75                     2003

      Ashley Hargrove                   75                     2006

RETRIEVER VOLLEYBALL NEWS ARCHIVE

Lang Wins Sixth America East Rookie of the Week Award

Freshman Alyssa Lang has been named America East Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the week ending Oct. 19.

Lang continues to impress, winning her sixth weekly rookie honor of the season, just one shy of the conference record set by Ashley Oscars in 2006 and Sarah Ball in 2005. Last week she tied for the team lead with five service aces and was second on the team with 21 digs (2.62 dps). In a big non-conference win over Towson, Lang recorded 10 digs with four service aces. Against Binghamton, the freshman recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 14 kills and 11 digs, while adding two assisted blocks. For the season, Lang is in the America East top ten in kills, service aces and digs, and leads all freshmen in the former two categories.

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.

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.