Murray State University Athletics
Volleyball Leads Nation In Defense
9/19/2006 5:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The Murray State women's volleyball team is ranked first in NCAA Division I in defense, averaging 21.03 digs per game. Last week, in the NCAA's first ranking of the season, the Racers were third in the nation.
Nothing new for MSU, which finished last season ranked second at 20.08 digs per game.
Leading the way individually for Murray State is sophomore libero Heather Norris, who averages 5.39 digs per game to lead the Ohio Valley Conference. Sophomore outside hitter Alison Mugler is second on the team and ninth in the league at 3.89 dpg, while sophomore outside hitter Alyssa Groves is 10th in the OVC at 3.86 dpg and freshman setter Cassie Chesney has 3.75. None of these ranks among the nation's top 30, as Jenny Shull of Duke is No. 30 this week with 5.52 digs per game.
The national volleyball rankings in all statistical categories are released by the NCAA every Tuesday.
Murray State (8-2) -- off to its best start in school history -- opens its OVC schedule on Friday at 7 p.m. at Eastern Illinois. The Racers then visit Southeast Missouri State on Saturday at 2 p.m.
