SENATOBIA, Miss. - The Northeast Mississippi Community College volleyball program drew the same postseason opponent as it did last fall during its inaugural season.
The Lady Tigers meet Pearl River Community College in the opening round of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 23 Tournament on Friday, November 1.
The second of four matches on the day is scheduled to begin at noon. The entire tournament will be hosted at Howard Coliseum on the campus of Northwest Mississippi Community College.
The Lady Tigers' playoff games will air live and in high definition on the NEMCCTV Gold Channel. Search for the Northeast app on Roku, Amazon or Apple television devices or visit www.nemcctv.com.
"We want to play our best game against them so let's just step up and take care of business," said Lady Tigers head coach Brenda Mayes. "I think the girls are a little bit more confident in receiving some of the hits that Pearl River brings."
A pair of sophomores achieved career milestones during the final weekend of the regular season. Irby Norris registered her 500th kill during Northeast's contest at Calhoun (Ala.) Community College.
Amberianna Shorter of New Albany also became the first Lady Tiger to surpass 500 total digs. Giselle Lopez could become the second if she records five against the Lady Wildcats.
Norris also made history recently as Northeast's inaugural Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) Player of the Week winner after posting double-digit kills in four consecutive matches.
The Hernando native tops the Lady Tigers offensively this year with 2.58 kills and 2.7 points per set. Belmont's Lopez has a team-best 41 service aces to go with her stellar defensive play.
Carmen Johnson of Mathiston leads Northeast with 47 blocks, including 21 solos. Freshmen setters Caledonia's Sophie Johnson and Marissa Morris from Lake Cormorant have combined for more than 750 assists.
"I believe that our program is getting better. I feel like we're on the right path," Mayes said. "Once we get the little bitty things corrected then we can see a lot more progress so that's our goal."
Pearl River defeated the Lady Tigers in three sets during both of their matchups so far this season. The Lady Wildcats are the reigning region champions.