WSSU Lady Rams To Open 2007 Season At Campbell

By WSSU Sports Information

Photo: Head Volleyball Coach Douglas Hunter

WSSU's Hunter to make coaching debut

BUIES CREEK, NC - The Winston-Salem State Lady Rams will open the 2007 with a bang, Tuesday evening when they hit the road to face the Campbell Camels in a season-opening match. Besides opening the 2007 season, Tuesday's game will also be the first for WSSU head coach Douglas Hunter and his coaching staff, which includes former Lady Ram Kyra Pridgen.

"This game is going to be a debut for our entire coaching staff and many new players" WSSU head coach Douglas Hunter said, Monday. "We're going to be fighting and putting everything we have out on the court."

The Lady Rams will open the season with a talented roster of players as four starters return from last season's squad, including the team's leader in kills, Annika Barnwell, and last season's leader in assists, Valentina Pushkina. The team also added a wealth of talent, brining in five newcomers that will give the team an immediate lift.

Photo: Kyra Pridgen, Asst. Volleyball Coach

The team will have their hands full facing a Campbell squad that has gotten the season off to a hot start posting a 3-1 record at the North Carolina Central Invitational tournament. For the season, the Camels have totaled 186 kills this season, 44 more than they have allowed. The freshman tandem of hitters Taylor Deering and Emily Werner will lead the way for the Camels as the duo has combined for 94 kills in just four matches this season. Deering is the Camels' leader with 49 kills this season, four more than Werner.

"Campbell is a very solid team that likes to move the ball around a lot," Hunter said. "If we can do our jobs, then we can take away what they want to do."

The Lady Rams and Camels will tip off at 7:00 p.m. at Carter Gymnasium in Buies Creek, NC.