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Sept. 25, 1997

Seminoles Open ACC Play On Tobacco Road

FSU at North Carolina 
* Friday, September 20 at 7:00 pm
Carmichael Auditorium (10,000) 
* Chapel Hill, NC
FSU at North Carolina State 
* Saturday, September 27 at 6:30 pm
Reynolds Coliseum (5,000) 
* Raleigh, NC

* Record: 12-1.
* Conference: 0-0.
* Current Streak: Lost 1.
* Lately:  FSU battled #3 Florida, but fell short 11-15, 11-15, 10-15, to
end its season-opening 12-match winning streak on Wednesday.
* Series vs. North Carolina:  Florida State holds a commanding lead in the
series, 18-4, winning 7 of the 9 meetings since FSU joined the ACC.
* Series vs. NC State: The Lady Seminoles lead the series 10-4 including 6
of 8 since FSU's inaugural ACC season.

* Record: 6-5 (20-12 in 1996).
* Conference: 0-0.
* Coach: Joe Sagula, 8th season at UNC.
* Starters Returning/Lost: 5/1.
* Standouts: Lori Carlson (3.61 kpg, 2.28 dpg) and Tori Seibert (3.25 kpg,
2.11 dpg) lead the Tar Heels.

* Record: 5-9. (21-16 in 1996).
* Conference: 0-0.
* Coach: Kim Hall, 4th season at NC State.
* Starters Returning/Lost: 6/1.
* Standouts: The Wolfpack Women are led by Laura Kimbrell (4.62 kpg) and
Nicole Peterson (11.49 apg).LAST YEAR
* The Lady Seminoles swept both North Carolina and NC State in the regular
season last year.  FSU won in 4 games at UNC 15-11, 16-1, 6-15, 15-8 and in
5 at NC State 9-15, 7-15, 15-10, 15-10, 15-12.

* North Carolina and Florida State have both tackled Big Ten opponents thus far in 1997. The Tar Heels faced Purdue and Michigan last weekend in the Big 10/ACC Challenge in Chapel Hill. North Carolina swept Purdue 3-0, but fell in 5 games to the Wolverines. Earlier this season, Florida State swept the Boilermakers at home and defeated Michigan on their home court 3-1. FSU and NC State have had no common opponents in '97.

NOLE NOTES

* Florida State rolled to victory in its first 12 matches of 1997 marking the best start in program history. FSU also nabbed tournament championship in its own FSU Classic, the All-Sport Michigan Challenge, and the Florida Atlantic Tournament. The Lady Seminoles previous best start came in the 1982 season when Florida State opened up 8-0.

* In winning 36 of their first 37 games this season, the Lady Seminoles compiled an impressive 27-game winning streak. The 27-game streak is the second longest in Florida State history. FSU won 36 games during a 21-match winning streak in 1981 when the Lady Seminoles finished the season with a 43-8 record enroute to 4th place finish in the AIAW National Tournament.

* FSU has had little mercy for its opponents in 1997. The Lady Seminoles have won 36 of 40 games played thus far this season outscoring their opponents 579-300. Florida State has outscored visitors to Tully Gym 302-158 in seven home matches.

* In its first 12 matches, Florida State had very few scares. Overall, the Lady Seminoles have held their opponents to under 10 points in 3/4 of their games in 1997 (30 of 40). Prior to its loss to Florida, Georgia State was the last team to score in double digits as FSU defeated GSU 15-11, 15-4, 15-6 on September 13th.

* In each of its twelve victories, the Lady Seminoles have had more kills, more assists, and more block assists than their opponent. Plus, Florida State has limited its attack errors with fewer than each of its 13 opponents in 1997.

* The Lady Seminoles have put together an excellent team blocking force at the net. FSU has more block assists than all of its 13 opponents and holds a large edge over opponents in block assists 162 to 41.

* Florida State moved up to 30th in the latest AVCA /USA Today Volleyball Coaches Poll released Tuesday. At 12-1, the Lady Seminoles are ranked second in District 3 behind ACC-foe Maryland.

* FSU's 2,782 fans in a standing-room only crowd for Wednesday's match with Florida set a new attendance record for the Lady Seminoles in Tully Gym. "It's always been a goal to get the fire marshall in here," said head coach Cecile Reynaud following the match. Tully Gym's capacity is listed as 2,500.

* Florida State posted a galant effort, but came up short against the #3 Florida Gators last Wednesday. The Lady Seminoles took control early in each game, leading 9-5 in game 1 and by 7 in game 2. FSU, however, couldn't put it away in a 11-15, 11-15, 10-15 defeat to the experienced Gator squad.

* Florida State is making each kill count this season. Thus far, the Lady Seminoles have a .329 hitting percentage. FSU's .339 mark earlier this week put the Noles at #1 in the nation in hitting percentage. Opponents, on the other hand, are averaging just .115. Only one opponent, Florida, has managed to hit above .200 against FSU in 1997.

* Florida State has put up some of its best numbers of the season against the bigger schools. FSU recorded its most kills (58) and total blocks (15) of the season against Michigan in the All-Sport Volleyball Challenge in Ann Arbor. The Lady Seminoles served up a season-high 10 aces and tallied 12 total blocks against Purdue in the FSU Classic.

* Senior outside hitter Laura Arnold was in uniform, but did not play, in Wednesday's match with the Lady Gators. She had missed the last 3 weeks of action with an ankle injury.

Florida State remained at the top of several team and individual statistical categories following four weeks of action for ACC schools.

Hitting Percentage
1   Aisha Thornton    .443
2   Susan Hawks       .435
7   LaToya Presberry  .337
Assists per Game
1   Fiona Bolton    12.29
Digs per Game
4   Fiona Bolton     3.03
9   LaToya Presberry 2.78
Kills per Game
4   LaToya Presberry 3.89
Service Aces Per Game
1   Holly Schneider  0.73
Blocks per Game
2   Susan Hawks      1.47
8   Aisha Thornton   1.22

Hitting Percentage
1   Florida State     .339
Kills per Game
1   Clemson         16.69
4   Florida State   15.35
Service Aces per Game
1   Georgia Tech     2.22
3   Florida State    2.00
Blocks per Game
1   Clemson          3.29
4   Florida State    2.76

ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Through Tuesday, September 23th
    School          Conf  Ovrll   Games
1   Florida State   0-0   12-0    36-1
2   Clemson         0-0   10-0    30-9
3   Maryland        0-0    8-0    24-4
4   Virginia        0-0   10-5    35-22
5   North Carolina  0-0    6-5    21-17
6   Georgia Tech    0-0    7-8    24-27
7   Wake Forest     0-0    6-7    23-36
8   NC State        0-0    5-9    22-33
9   Duke            0-0    4-8    18-25

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