Sept. 1, 2005
Hilton Invitational Preview
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HILTON INVITATIONAL
Baylor (2-0) vs. North Texas (0-4), 11 a.m. McNeese State vs. North Texas, 3 p.m. Baylor vs. McNeese State, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 3 Ferrell Center (6,000)
WACO, Texas - Baylor (2-0) will host North Texas and McNeese State in its home opener, the Hilton Invitational, Saturday at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, at the Ferrell Center. McNeese State and North Texas will face each other at 3 p.m.
Baylor is 14-7 all-time against North Texas, winning the last 14 meetings and have won the only other meeting with McNeese State. Head coach Jim Barnes is 2-0 all-time against North Texas and 5-5 against his alma mater, McNeese State.
The Bears swept both their matches against Northwestern State and Louisiana Tech Saturday in Ruston, La. Junior Nicole LeBlanc led the way for the Bears, hitting .415 with 26 kills. Senior Melanie Hamerly had an impressive debut, leading the Bears with 12 kills in the victory over the Lady Techsters.
Baylor returns to action Tuesday when it hosts Texas State at 7 p.m. at the Ferrell Center. The Bears follow with seven straight road matches beginning with the Comcast Lady Vol Classic Sept. 9-10 in Knoxville, Tenn. Baylor opens Big 12 Conference play at Texas Tech Sept. 14 and head straight to the Fiesta Bowl hosted by Northern Arizona Sept. 16-17 in Flagstaff, Ariz.
BEAR NOTES
Guilliard-Young Earns Presason Honor
Junior middle blocker Desiree Guilliard-Young was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Conference Team after earning All-Big 12 honorable mention as a sophomore. Last season, she ranked sixth in the Big 12 and 50th nationally with 1.37 blocks per game and also ranked sixth in conference matches only with 1.38 blocks per game. Des led the team with a .300 attack percentage, was third with 2.87 kills per game, second with 409.5 points and second with 1.37 blocks per game.
Elliott Makes Travel Squad
Freshman Amanda Elliott, a walk-on who was expected to give the Bears depth as a practice player, will make the season-opening trip as an active member of the team. Elliott has been pressed into action due to the injuries to Jenné Blackburn and Kelsey Smith.
Hammering Debut
Senior middle blocker/outside hitter Melanie Hamerly posted nine kills in her first career volleyball match, then led the Bears with 12 kills in their victory over Louisiana Tech...Over the Bears' first two matches, Hamerly ranks second on the team with a .350 attack percentage and 21 kills (3.5 kpg).
Equal Opportunity
Senior setter Emily Huston spread the ball around well the first two matches, with Nicole LeBlanc receiving the most attempts at 53 and Kelly Spriggs right behind at 52. Stella Odion was set 45 times, while Melanie Hamerly received 42. LeBlanc, Odion and Hamerly each put up at least 20 kills in the first two matches, while Spriggs had 19.
