Sept. 10, 2008

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Coming off of two tough weekend tournaments, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Women's Volleyball Team continues its road trip at the University at Buffalo's Ramada Invitational this weekend. The Lady Hawks are 3-3 on the season, and face Butler, Buffalo and Maine Friday and Saturday in Buffalo, N.Y.

After being named MEAC Rookie of the Week for the week ending Aug. 31, outside hitter Christine Edwards posted 49 kills and 29 digs in last weekend's UMBC Tournament, with consecutive double-doubles on the final day. In the same tournament, junior outside hitter Whitney Johnson, who garnered MEAC Player of the Week honors Monday, put down 29 kills in UMES' upset of host UMBC.

Facing off against Butler University in the tournament opener, UMES will be looking to neutralize the Bulldogs two standout sophomores, Jessica Wolfe and Kelsey Labrum, who are both offensive and defensive threats. Wolfe and Labrum have combined for 157 kills and 112 digs this season en route to leading Butler to a 6-1 record on the year.

The hosts Buffalo are 2-4 this season. Sophomore setter Lindsey Schlegel leads the team with 163 assists and 40 digs. Keying the attack for the Bulls are sophomores Kristin Bignell, tops on the team in kills with 44, and Richelle Bigelow, who is second on the team with 34 kills. The major defensive threat is junior libero Lauren Fensten, who leads the team with 43 digs.

The Lady Hawks close out their weekend against The University of Maine who enter the tournament 4-3 overall. The Black Bears will rely on seniors Lindsay Allman and Laura Goettsch, who are among the team leaders in kills, assists, aces, digs and blocks. Allman and Goettsch have combined for 156 kills, 156 digs, 31 blocks and 19 aces. Senior defensive specialist Ashlee Wright leads the team in digs with 98.