BUIES CREEK, N.C.-Following a 0-2 start in Atlantic Sun action last
weekend, Campbell volleyball will shoot for its first conference
win of 2007 at Gardner-Webb on Saturday, Sep. 29.
In
their previous two outings, the Camels were ousted by Stetson and
Florida Gulf Coast in straight sets, both veteran teams at the top
of the A-Sun ranks. Traveling to Boiling Springs, N.C., Campbell
hopes to take a step toward that territory.
At
8-10 overall and 0-2 in conference play, Gardner-Webb has lost
three straight matches, and five of its last six. Like the Camels,
Gardner-Webb was also in Florida last weekend, making the same two
stops in reverse order, FGCU then Stetson, also losing both,
3-0.
The squads bring similar results to the floor, as the two carry
similar statistics. In fact, the two teams are among five squads in
their division without a conference victory.
Campbell does make a strong case, however, establishing itself as
one of the best blocking teams in the A-Sun. Through 60 games this
season, the Camels are averaging 2.05 blocks per game (tied
3rd in A-Sun) while the Bulldogs have only mustered a
1.11 average, last in the conference. In Campbell's last three
matches, the team has out-blocked opponents 26-7, an average of
2.89 per game compared to 0.78. CU, among the nation's leaders in
service aces, averaging 2.53 per game, has the advantage in that
category as well, as the Runnin' Bulldogs also sit last in that
category with a mark of 1.45.
Junior Femi Alabi, a Campbell middle blocker, has consistently been
one of the A-Sun's top blockers, ranking fifth with 1.03 blocks per
through her 60 games (23 solo, 39 assists, 62.0 total). The Jos,
Nigeria native climbed into the A-Sun's top-ten in hitting
percentage this week as well, emerging with a .280 mark.
The Runnin' Bulldogs are led by senior middle blocker Ashley
Pridgeon, averaging a team best 3.77 kills per game while adding
1.80 digs per game. Katie Matykowski, a junior outside hitter,
leads the Runnin' Bulldog defense, averaging 4.67 digs per
game.
The Fighting Camels will be back in action Friday, Oct. 5, as they
face another Atlantic Sun foe, Jacksonville. The meet will be the
CU home conference opener, slated for a 7p.m. start.
