Nov. 15, 2007

HUNTINGTON, W.V. (C-USA) Senior outside hitter Kelley Wernert had a match-high 24 kills as she led No. 8 seed East Carolina to a 3-0 (30-28, 30-23, 30-27) victory over No. 9 seed SMU in the first round of the 2007 C-USA Volleyball Championship Thursday. The four-day tournament is being hosted by Marshall University inside the Cam Henderson Center in Huntington, W.Va.

Wernert, a two-time All-C-USA first team selection also had nine digs, while teammate Trish Monroe, a junior libero, produced a match-high 21 digs. Freshman setter Katie Koop was credited with 46 assists and nine digs.

SMU freshman outside hitter and All-Freshman team selection Kathryn Wilkerson led the Ponies with team-best of 12 kills and 15 digs for her 19th double-double of the season. Sophomore Kendra Kahanek and junior Natalie Peters each chipped in 10 kills, while Madison Hill and Stefanie Kons dished out 18 assists apiece.

The Mustangs out-hit the Pirates in the third game, but were unable to overtake ECU.

As a team, ECU hit .277 to SMU's .233, and had 73 digs to the Mustangs' 63. The Mustangs compiled more blocks than the Pirates, 8-3

East Carolina (16-16) advances to face top seed and host Marshall at 5 p.m. on Friday. SMU ends its season at 16-15.

2007 C-USA VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Cam Henderson Center
Huntington, W.Va.

FIRST ROUND
Thursday, Nov. 15
(7) Rice 3, (10) UTEP 0
(11) Southern Miss 3, (6) Houston 1
(8) East Carolina 3, (9) SMU 0
(12) UCF vs. (5) Memphis 7 p.m.

QUARTERFINAL
Friday, Nov. 16
winner of Match 1 vs. (2) Tulane 12 p.m.
winner of Match 2 vs. (3) UAB 2 p.m.
winner of Match 3 vs. (1) Marshall 5 p.m.
winner of Match 4 vs. (4) Tulsa 7 p.m.

SEMIFINALS
Saturday, Nov. 17
winner of Match 5 vs. winner Match 6 4 p.m.
winner of Match 7 vs. winner Match 8 6 p.m.

CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, Nov. 18 Semifinal winners 6 p.m.