Game Notes
BROOKINGS, S.D. (9/07/07) North Texas’ Brooke Engel has scorched hardwood floors across the country, shredding the competition with a devastating serve that led the nation in aces in 2006. But on Saturday, the Mean Green senior will face off against her toughest competitor to date.
North Texas will take on Long Island University at South Dakota State’s Jackrabbit Invitational in a matchup between last season’s national service ace leaders. Engel led the country with .98 aces per game (123 total), nudging out the Blackbirds' Martina Wagner who finished second with .97 (115 total). As a matter of fact, Engel and Wagner were the only players in America to break 100 aces. The duo’s next closest challenger had 86.
Early in the 2007 season the competition is just as close. Wagner has posted 22 aces (.85 per game) for the Blackbirds so far, with Engel right on her heels with 18 (.72 per game).
Engel served her way to All-Tournament honors last weekend at the Mean Green Volleyball Classic. The senior had back-to-back five-ace matches, posting 13 total (1.00 per game) at the three-match tournament.
As if facing off with Wagner isn’t enough inspiration, Engel needs only 11 more aces to tie Corina Marginas for the school’s career ace record at 160.
The Mean Green faces off with hosting South Dakota State tonight at 7:30 p.m., before battling Long Island at 11 a.m. and Montana at 5:30 p.m.
