ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The South Carolina State women's volleyball team opens Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play this weekend when they take on conference foes Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M. The Lady Bulldogs play at B-CU at 7 p.m. on Friday and at FAMU at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
 
In their last outing, the Lady Bulldogs (0-14) fell 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-18) to Stetson University at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Scenic Showdown. SC State's statistical leaders include junior Marissa Lawrence (112 kills; 2.4 per set), junior Melanie Williams (225 assists; 4.9 per set), freshman Tyler Ockleberry (180 digs; 3.9 per set) and freshman Kirby Anderson (44 total blocks; 0.94 per set).
 
Ockleberry and Anderson each rank third in the MEAC in digs and blocks, respectively. Last weekend, Anderson earned all-tournament honors after recording 18 kills, 23 digs, 20 total blocks (one solo) and two assists in three matches. She is also this week's SC State Female Athlete of the Week.
 
B-CU (2-13) played Stetson on Wednesday, dropping that match 3-1 (25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 25-19). Rhea Simon leads the Lady Wildcats with 170 kills (3.2 per set), while Normarie Rolon has a team-leading 154 digs (2.9 per set) and Hazel Ortiz-Rosado has 400 assists (7.4 per set).
 
FAMU (2-10) is coming off a 2-1 outing at the Auburn University Tournament. After falling 3-1 to Auburn last Friday, The Lady Rattlers posted back-to-back 3-1 wins over Northwestern Louisiana State and Jacksonville State on Saturday. FAMU hosts Savannah State at 7 p.m. this Friday in the MEAC opener for both teams.
 
Pamela Soriano is the Lady Rattlers' most productive hitter with 137 kills (3.7 per set) on the season. Defensively, Joanie Del Castillo had 154 digs (3.7 per set) and five different Lady Rattlers have double-digit blocks led by Ginna Lopez-Chavez with 29 total blocks (five solo).