Tournament Central

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern women’s volleyball team (0-4) will travel to Florence, Ala. Sept. 8-10 to compete in the North Alabama Classic. The Sharks are scheduled to compete in the first match of the tournament, 8 p.m. Thursday, against Harding (5-0). Friday matches against Christian Brothers (4-1) and host North Alabama (4-0) at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, follow before concluding play on Saturday against Queens (3-0) at 11 a.m.

The North Alabama Classic will be the Sharks’ second tournament in as many weekends after finishing play 0-4 at the Midwestern State Hampton Inn-vitational in Wichita Falls, Texas last weekend.

Despite the disappointing results, NSU recorded a total of 35 blocks, while limiting its four opponents to a total of 32. Danielle Graham (Jr., Cincinnati, Ohio) contributed a team-high 15 blocks, while also leading the Sharks’ offense with a 2.87 kills per set average. Senior Anabely Escaripita (Boca Raton, Fla.) is currently second, averaging 2.60 kills per set.

Harding
The Lady Bison enter the North Alabama Classic with a 5-0 record to begin the 2011 season. Harding cruised to a 3-0 victory over fellow tournament participant Christian Brothers Tuesday night.

Sophomore outside hitter, Mollie Arnold, paced the Lady Bison with 16 kills and 10 digs against Christian Brothers. Classmate Weslynn Williams was recognized as the Great American Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week after recording 52 digs at the Missouri Southern State Invitational and another 14 against Christian Brothers.

Christian Brothers
The Lady Bucs will travel to Florence, Ala. carrying a 4-1 record following a Tuesday night loss at Harding. Christian Brothers, serving as the host to the CBU Invitational, opened the season with four 3-0 victories before the loss to the Lady Bison.

A trio of Lady Bucs, Lizzie McLean, Kelly Nolan and Hannah Kurtz each registered six kills Tuesday.

North Alabama
Also holding an undefeated record entering this weekend, the Lions are 4-0 completing a sweep at the Missouri-St. Louis Tritons Classic Sept. 2-3. North Alabama secured five-set victories over No. 10 Wayne State and Lindenwood before defeating Missouri-St. Louis and Gannon in straight sets.

Natalie Marsh and Lauren Greenhill earned the Gulf South Conference Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively. Marsh, also selected as the MSLU Classic MVP, tallied 58 kills, 10 service aces, 43 digs and 11 total blocks. Greenhill finished the tournament with 94 digs, 10 assists, three service aces and was named to the all-tournament team.

Queens
The Royals enter Wednesday with a 3-0 record after earning three straight-set wins at the Queens Invitational. Queens will host Lander Wednesday night before traveling to Alabama.

Brittney Barren garnered tournament MVP honors totaling 17 kills for a set average of 2.83. Jocelyn Kellinger, averaging 5.17 digs per set, and Anna Gibbs (six kills, six digs, four block assists) were also selected to the all-tournament team.
 
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