The Daily Campus

Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Maureen McCombs The Huskies host their first match in two weeks tonight at 7 p.m.

After suffering their first loss of the season, UConn (7-1) will be looking to take out their frustration on Northeastern (5-6) tonight at 7 p.m. The Huskies, who haven't hosted a match since Aug. 25, are eager to get back on the court and move on from last weekend's 3-1 defeat at the hands of St. Louis.

"Last weekend was a wake-up call for us," said setter Bridget Denson-Dorman. "We're pumped up and ready to come out and defend our home court."

Though Northeastern's record may not indicate it, they are a strong team who has played a rigorous non-conference schedule early in the season. Northeastern, also named the Huskies, suffered road losses at No. 12 California, No. 25 Middle Tennessee State and Boston College, but played each team closely and will not be intimidated when they come into Gampel Pavilion.

Aside from their names, UConn and Northeastern share some other common traits. Like the Huskies, Northeastern relies heavily on freshmen after losing six starters from a year ago. Of the eight freshmen on the roster, one in particular has emerged as a star. Versatile setter Britney Brown has been one of the top players in the conference thus far, as she leads the Huskies with 5.95 assists per game. She also contributes 2.26 kills, 1.92 digs and a team-high 0.68 blocks per contest. Most of Brown's assists go to the team's two veteran offensive threats, senior captain Kira Batura and junior Lauren DeTurk.

Batura, who led Northeastern with 3.13 kills per game last year, has seen her offensive numbers fall off a bit, but has stepped up her game on the defensive end, as she is second on the team with 3.46 digs per game. DeTurk has taken a huge step forward from last season. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter is leading the team with 3.26 kills per game and also is chipping in 2.46 digs per contest.

Some of the players also share some common roots. Two of the players in tonight's match grew up together in the same hometown. Northeastern sophomore libero Leah Neubeck and UConn's Denson-Dorman both hail from Golden Valley, Minn. and were teammates at Hopkins High School. Denson-Dorman's success at the college level has been well documented, but the 5-foot-3 Neubeck has made Golden Valley residents proud as well. She is one of the best defensive players in the Colonial Athletic Association, as evidenced by her team-high 3.97 digs per game, which ranks fourth in the entire conference. Denson-Dorman is eager to do battle against her friend and former teammate.

Continued...

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