Oct. 21, 2004
Columbia, S.C. – After going 3-1 on a four-match road stint, Gamecock volleyball returns home this weekend to host the Georgia Bulldogs (12-5, 8-0 SEC) and the No. 8 Florida Gators (16-2, 8-0). The Bulldogs and the Gators are undefeated in conference play so far this season and the Gamecocks will attempt to be the first to end the streaks. The Gamecocks and Bulldogs will meet Friday at 7 p.m. while USC takes on the Gators Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Both matches will be played at the Volleyball Competition Facility and can be heard live via the Internet on www.uscsports.com. USC enters the weekend 11-6 and 4-4 in SEC play.
USC is coming off of a 3-0 victory over Auburn last weekend and hope to add to the win column. Last week, Lauren Ford led the team with a .464 hitting percentage and averaged 3.00 kills per game. Ford also averaged 1.17 blocks per game. Shonda Cole led the team in kills with 21 and averaged 3.50 kills per game. In the win against Auburn, Lynae Vanden Hull recorded a career and team season high six service aces as the Gamecocks posted a season high 16. Vanden Hull is also sixth in the conference among hitting leaders with her .323 percentage.
The Gamecocks are looking for their first win against an SEC eastern division team this season. Georgia leads the series 35-12 and won both decisions last year. Prior to the 2003 season, USC had a four-match win streak against the Bulldogs.
UGA is led by Alexandra Oquendo, who is second in the SEC with a .394 hitting percentage and is third in the league with 4.34 kills per game. Setter Margot Wallace is also second in the SEC in assists with 12.68 assists per game.
The Florida Gators continue to defend their SEC title as the NCAA Runners-up head to Columbia on Sunday. UF leads the series against the Gamecocks 30-6 and have not lost a regular season SEC match since 1994. That one loss was to the Gamecocks.
The Gators are coming off of a 3-0 victory over LSU and a 3-1 win against Arkansas. Florida outside hitter Jane Collymore was named SEC player of the week this week as she averaged 5.86 kills per game and improved her hitting percentage to .349. Collymore registered 22 kills against the Lady Back’s.
Friday is “Can the Bulldogs” night and all fans that make a canned food donation get in for $1. The food drive will benefit Harvest Hope Foodbank. On Sunday, it is “Gamecock Kids Book Drive”. Fans that bring a book to donate to Reach Out and Read will also get in for $1 as well.
