Albany State Lady Rams lose in volleyball regionals
November 21, 2002
The Albany State University Lady Rams had big plans of bringing
a regional volleyball championship back to Albany. The number
three University of North Alabama Lady Lions destroyed those
plans by beating the number six Lady Rams, 3-0, in the opening
round of the NCAA South Central Volleyball Regional Tournament,
held Nov. 21 at Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. The Lady
Lions won 30-16 in each of the three games.
The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) champs were led by
sophomore middle hitter Janel Herring, who recorded 11 kills for the Lady
Rams. Junior outside hitter Sandra Boyd added five kills and five digs, and
setter Erica Nepote had 18 assists and six digs. The Lady Rams finish the
2002 season with a 20-13 record.
The Lady Lions, now 30-4, were led by Yana Nivona with 14 kills and Sandra
Alexander with nine kills.
Making their second appearance in the regional tournament, the Lady Rams
entered the tournament as the number six seed in the South Central Region.
Although his team lost, head coach Robert Skinner said he is proud of the
Lady Rams.
"We lost in our efforts to beat North Alabama. They are a tough team,"
Skinner said. "But I am extremely proud of the Lady Rams. It was an honor to
represent Albany State and the SIAC in region play."
North Alabama will advance to the semifinals and face number two Truman
State University (24-8) on Friday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m. and the winner of the
Harding/Central Missouri State game will play number one Washburn University
(29-4) at 6:30 p.m. Winners of the semifinals will advance to the
championship game on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. The regional tournament
winner will advance to the Elite 8 on Dec. 5-7 at a site to be determined
later.
