W&M Set to Host Tribe Classic

Live Webcasts of W&M Matches

08/29/07 12:00PM

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The William and Mary volleyball team will begin its 2007 home slate when it welcomes East Carolina, Kent State and Southern Illinois to Williamsburg this weekend for the Tribe Classic. W&M’s first match will be against the Pirates on Friday at 7:30 p.m., while it will take on the Golden Flashes on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The College will conclude the Classic against the Salukis on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The Green and Gold opened its season last weekend at the Hokie Invite and earned a 1-1 record. While the Tribe fell to Virginia Tech, 3-1, in the season opener, it bounced back with a 3-2 victory against preseason Conference USA favorite Marshall in its second match.

Competing in her first collegiate action, freshman Cassie Crumal averaged 11.67 assists per game at the Hokie Invite and earned conference Rookie of the Week accolades. Sophomore Lindsey Pflugner also played well and registered a double-double in both matches. Junior Abbi Owens finished with 19 kills and 12 digs versus the Herd, while she equaled a career high with 23 digs against Virginia Tech.

The Pirates enter the weekend’s action with a 2-2 record and are coming off a 3-1 victory against UNC Greensboro on Tuesday evening. ECU’s other victory came against Winthrop, while its losses were to Duke and Purdue. Kelley Wernert leads the team with 4.50 kills per game, while freshman Katie Koop is averaging 11.08 assists per game. Wernert paced ECU in its recent win against the Spartans, as she tallied 23 kills on a .321 hitting percentage.

Kent State is currently unbeaten and boasts a 4-0 record with victories against Iona, St. Francis College, St. Peter’s College and Cleveland State. Senior Anne Zakelj leads the squad with 3.44 kills per game, while senior Anja Knabe-Paulsen is averaging 3.33 put-aways per game. In its last outing, a 3-2 win against Cleveland State, Knabe-Paulsen led the team with 18 kills, while Zakelj registered a team-high eight blocks to go with 16 put-aways.

Like KSU, Southern Illinois is also unbeaten this season and sports a 3-0 record with wins over Eastern Kentucky, Morehead State and West Virginia. All three victories came last weekend at the Morehead State Invitational. Junior Kristie Berwanger leads the team with 4.09 kills per game, while sophomore Kelsie Laughlin is averaging 4.00 put-aways per frame. Three Salukis were named to the All-Tournament Team at the Invite, as sophomore Marina Medic was named the MVP while Laughlin and junior Brooklyn Robbins were also recognized.

Last season, the Tribe posted a 3-1 record at the Tribe Classic to take second-place honors.

2007 Tribe Classic Schedule
Friday, 5 p.m. – Southern Illinois vs. Kent State
Friday, 7:30 p.m. – William and Mary vs. East Carolina
Saturday, 11 a.m. – East Carolina vs. Southern Illinois
Saturday, 1:30 p.m. – William and Mary vs. Kent State
Saturday, 5 p.m. – East Carolina vs. Kent State
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. – William and Mary vs. Southern Illinois