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Oct. 8, 2008

Coach Kritza's Comments Following Wednesday's Practice

Court Report Match Notes in PDF Format

NEW ORLEANS - The Tulane University volleyball team returns to action on Friday, Oct. 10, when the Green Wave travel to The Sooner State to take on Conference USA foe Tulsa at 7 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Center.

The road match on Friday is the third of a four-match road swing for Tulane as the team will also travel to Dallas on Sunday for a 1 p.m. showdown at SMU. The Green Wave enter the weekend 11-5 on the year, 3-1 in C-USA action, and looking to bounce back from a 3-2 loss on Sunday at UAB.

"You are always a little more ready to get back to the drawing board after a tough loss, and that is exactly what we did," Tulane head coach Liz Kritza said. "It is just a part of athletics. You learn more after a tough loss than you do after a win, and I think that rings true for this team.

"This week has been very productive in the gym, very productive in the film room and off the court as well. We have taken a good look at what we are doing and what we need to improve on. This group is very committed to playing the best possible volleyball that they can. They really hate losing. After that tough loss on Sunday, everybody kind of buckled down and they are committed to making sure that does not happen again. So, we are in good shape for the weekend."

As a team, the Green Wave are averaging 13.57 kills, 12.70 assists, 14.63 digs and 2.06 blocks per set. Senior outside hitter Sara Radosevic leads the squad with 3.65 kills per set, junior Jenn Miller paces the club with 3.79 digs per contest, and senior middle blocker Jenn Miller headlines the team with 0.97 blocks per outing.

Tulane is hitting .213 (814-362-2122) on the season while allowing opponents to attack at a .178 clip (707-340-2066). Green Wave opponents are averaging 11.78 kills, 10.98 assists, 13.80 digs and 2.85 blocks per set so far in 2008.

Tulsa, meanwhile, comes into Friday night's C-USA showdown 16-4 on the season, 3-2 in Conference USA play, and winners of its last two matches. The Golden Hurricane split last weekend - dropping a 3-0 decision at Houston before downing Rice in five - and claimed a 3-1 win over Oral Roberts on Tuesday night.

As a team, the Hurricane are averaging 12.83 kills, 11.73 assists, 14.09 digs and 2.06 blocks per set. Beth Hodge paces Tulsa with 3.29 kills per set, Malorey Grove leads the club with 3.32 digs per set, and Julia Kenealy headlines the front-row defense with 1.10 blocks per stanza.

Tulsa is hitting .236 (1001-377-2643) for the year while limiting opponents to a .172 clip (964-496-2723). Golden Hurricane opponents are averaging 12.36 kills, 11.42 assists, 13.94 digs and 2.00 blocks per set.

"We are expecting a tough matchup against Tulsa," Kritza said. "They are a very good team and are coming off a split weekend. They lost to Houston but came back to beat Rice in five. We knew from the beginning of the season that Tulsa would be a team to challenge for a conference championship.

"They have always been able to come up with quality matches and good wins in Conference USA since they have been a part of it, and I expect nothing less than a really tough match against them. They are going to be tough, but I am certain that we are going to be ready."

Friday's match between Tulane and Tulsa marks the 11th meeting between the two teams, and the Green Wave holds a 7-3 advantage in the all-time series. Under Kritza, Tulane is 4-4 vs. Tulsa, including a 1-2 record at the Reynolds Center. The Golden Hurricane joined C-USA in 2005 and won the first two meetings with the Wave. Tulane exacted a bit of revenge in the 2005 C-USA Tournament with a 3-2 victory and have won three of the last four matchups since then.

Following the weekend road swing, Tulane returns home on Tuesday, Oct. 14, when the Green Wave play host to cross-town rival UNO at 7 p.m. in Fogelman Arena. That contest is one of three home matches for Tulane during the week as the Wave host C-USA foes East Carolina and Marshall on Friday and Sunday, respectively. For ticket information to those matches, as well as future Green Wave athletic events, contact the Tulane University Athletics Ticket Office at 504-861-WAVE.