Oct. 18, 2003

Final Stats

MILWAUKEE -- For the second straight evening, the Marquette volleyball team battled a Conference USA leader and came up on the short end of a decision. Southern Miss, the hottest team in the league, topped Marquette in three games. USM captured its 13th straight match, 32-30, 30-27, 30-25, and upped its overall record to 21-3, 6-0 in C-USA. Marquette slipped to 5-14 in overall play, 2-4 in league outings.

Marquette enjoyed a productive offensive evening, registering a 27.8 attack percentage (53-16--133), however USM countered with a blazing 39.1 percentage (63-11--133). Southern Miss posted a 54-45 bulge in digs and an 8-4 margin in total blocks.

Sophomore Theresa Coughlin (Chicago) led Marquette with 12 attacks while chipping in eight digs. Senior Ann Lopata (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) and junior Erica Heisser (Greenville, Mich.) each chalked up 11 kills with Lopata totaling three blocks. Freshman Nicole Wallace (Wheaton, Ill.), seeing her most extensive action of the year, hit a team-best 40.0 percent (7-1--15).

Marquette returns to action next Friday and Saturday (Oct. 24-25) when it hosts Memphis and Saint Louis, respectively, at the MU Gym. Friday's contest against Memphis will begin at 7:00 while Saturday's clash against Saint Louis on Saturday will commence at 5:00 p.m.