The East Central University volleyball team will host the South Central Classic with Southeastern Oklahoma State, Sept. 11-13 at the Kerr Activities Center.  The Lady Tigers will first face New Mexico Highlands, Thursday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. and then play two matches Friday and Saturday.

Match Notes

South Central Classic Schedule
Thursday, Sept. 11
ECU vs. New Mexico Highlands    7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 12
UCO vs. Texas A&M International    10 a.m.
NMHU vs. Missouri Southern State    Noon
ECU vs. UCO    2 p.m.
TAMI vs. NMHU    5 p.m.
ECU vs. MSSU    7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 13
ECU vs. TAMI    8 a.m.
Washburn vs. TAMI    10 a.m.
ECU vs. Langston    Noon
Washburn vs. Langston    2 p.m.

The Coverage
Fans who can't be at the game can find links to live stats and live video on ECUTigers.com.  Go to the volleyball schedule page.  

Scouting New Mexico Highlands
The Cowgirls are 2-2 after the West Texas A&M Tournament last weekend.  NMHU is close to its opponents in all statistical categories this season, with their biggest deficit coming in hitting percentage.  The Cowgirls are hitting just .100 (141k-95e-458ta), but are only allowing a .136 (150k-89e-449ta) mark.

Alicia Moreno is the top offensive producer for NMHU, with 38 kills, six service aces, 38 digs and three blocks.  She also has a team-best .319 (38k-8e-94ta) attack percentage.  Jessica Piper is the top defensive player with 4.08 digs per set and 53 total in four matches.

Against the Cowgirls
New Mexico Highlands earned a 1-3 win in the last meeting between the two teams in 2012.

Hayley Gerken is the only Lady Tiger returner to see action in the match.  She garnered six kills and six block assists.

Andrea Nunez is the lone returner for NMHU, with two kills, one service ace and two block assists.

The Series
This will be the third meeting in the all-time series with NMHU, with both teams having earned a win on a neutral court.  ECU won the first meeting in 2009 and the Cowgirls earned a 1-3 win in 2012.

Scouting Central Oklahoma
The Bronchos are still perfect for the season, with a 6-0 record after going 4-0 at the Henderson State Classic.  Those wins included a 3-0 win over HSU and a 3-1 over Southeastern from the Great American Conference.  UCO has a clear advantage over its opponents across the stat sheet, including a .337 (264k-71e-572ta) to .073 (163k-120e-588ta) mark in hitting percentage.

Allison Barr has the top attack percentage so far this season at .552 (53k-5e-92ta) and adds 10 block assists.  Barbara Jackson is also a key all-around player with a .319 (50k-14e-113ta) hitting percentage, nine service aces and 32 digs.

Against the Bronchos
In 2013, the Lady Tigers and UCO met twice, with the Bronchos earning wins each time.  

Hayley Gerken garnered 16 kills and two service aces, while Madison Seiler added 20 assists and 10 digs for ECU.

Barbara Jackson was the top producer for UCO with 30 kills, eight digs and five blocks.

The Series
Friday's meeting will be the 13th in the all-time series, with ECU having a 2-3 record against the Bronchos when playing in Ada.  ECU fell in the last meeting (11/16/13) 0-3 on the road and dropped a 2-3 decision last season at home during the South Central Classic (9/13/13).

Scouting Missouri Southern
The Lions are 1-3 on the season after participating in the Angleo State Tournament over the weekend.  MSSU trails its opponents in most statistical categories, but is close.  However, they do have a 2.3 blocks per set to 2.1 advantage.

Krishna Merriman and Callie Whetstone lead the Lions on offense.  Merriman has a team-high 46 kills and adds 31 digs and 12 blocks assists.  Whetstone has a .264 (31k-12e-72ta) hitting percentage, five service aces and 29 blocks.

The Series
ECU and the Lions have met just once prior to Friday's match, with MSSU earning a 1-3 win Sept. 10, 2011 on a neutral floor.

Scouting Texas A&M International
The Dustdevils are 0-2 on the season, with both matches having been Heartland Conference affairs.  TAMI will face St. Edwards in a league match Sept. 10 before coming to Ada.

Tazmin Apple is the most consistent hitter for the Dustdevils, with a .400 (19k-3e-40ta) mark.  Miaje Hubbard leads the team with 27 kills.

The Series
This will be just the second meeting in the all-time series with TAMI, with the Lady Tigers having claimed a 3-0 win in 2009 on a neutral court.

Scouting Langston
The Lions are 2-3 on the season and play in the NAIA Red River Athletic Conference.  Langston is close, but trails its opponents in most statistical categories.  However, the Lions have an 88 to 41 lead in blocks.

The Series
This will be the first meeting between the two teams in the all-time series.

Simpson Stepping Up
Junior Sarah Simpson has started the season strong for the Lady Tigers, leading the team with 46 kills and five service aces.  She is also fourth on the team with 31 digs.  Simpson is currently ranked No. 1 in GAC matches for kills per set (3.40), No. 4 in points per set (4.00) and No. 7 in service aces per set (0.60).

Up Next
ECU will hit the road for three matches, including two GAC matches.  The Lady Tigers first head to face Southwestern Oklahoma State, Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. and then go on to Northwestern Oklahoma State for a Thursday, Sept. 18 match.