Mobile, Alabama-The 2022 SIAC East Division Champion, Edward Waters Lady Tigers will begin their maiden voyage in the Cricket SIAC Women's Volleyball Championship as the East's #1 seed. The Purple & Orange will battle the #4 seed out of the West Division in the Golden Bears from Miles College in a First Round matchup on Thursday at 2:00pm EST/1:00pm CST at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center on the campus of Spring Hill College.

Edward Waters (24-9, 17-2 SIAC) blew through the conference during the regular season, their first as a full member of the conference, only dropping two matches in conference play (against West Division Champ Spring Hill and a road five set match at Albany State). The Lady Tigers statistically were second during the regular season in hitting percentage at a combined .243, second in assists per set (12.19), and second in kills per set (13.13). Freshman phenom Fatima Ramirez led the SIAC in kills per set (4.30), while fellow freshman Mataiya Barber was second in the conference in assists per set (9.81). Senior libero Andrea Diaz Merced was fifth in the conference in digs per set (4.56).

The Lady Tigers faced their first round opponent, Miles earlier this season at the SIAC Crossover on September 23rd. Edward Waters made quick work of the Golden Bears, sweeping their way to a 3-0 win. In the match, EWU racked up a total 48 kills, including seven service aces, eight blocks, 45 assists, and 61 digs. As a team against Miles, Edward Waters hit .261 for the match and held the Golden Bears to a .038 hitting percentage.

Naomy Vergez Varona and Fatima Ramirez each had double-double performances in the match. Vergez Varona had a match high 17 kills and 11 digs, while Ramirez turned in her second consecutive double-double performance with 14 kills and 11 digs. Audrianna Jones was also in double figures in kills with 11 for Edward Waters. Mataiya Barber had a solid return to the lineup after missing the last few contests due to injury, racking up four service aces, and a match high 30 assists. Saniya Spalding had a personal season high seven blocks, while Andrea Diaz Merced led the way in Digs with 19.

Each game of the SIAC Women's Volleyball Championship will be streamed on the conference's YouTube channel at "SIAC Sports". Post match coverage of the Lady Tigers road through the tournament can be found on the official website of EWU Athletics at EWUTigerPride.com.

Follow the Tigers
For complete coverage of Edward Waters University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @EWU_Athletics (Twitter), /EWUTigers (Facebook) and @EWU_Athletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Edward Waters Athletics at EWUTigerPride.com