Nov. 15, 2000

Charlotte, N.C.-- - Freshman middle hitter Brittany Barnett (Dallas, Texas/Lake Highlands) was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team at the league's pre-tournament banquet in Charlotte, Wednesday.

Barnett, a 6-0 middle hitter who was moved to middle after some Tiger injuries, is already eighth in school history with block assists in a single season. Barnett has 100 assisted blocks and 10 solos, to lead the team with 0.95 blocks per game.

The Dallas native has started every one of the Tigers' 32 matches so far this season, and has played in all but one game (116 of 117).

A graduate of Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, Barnett is third on the team with 2.30 digs per game.

This is the first time since 1998, when Jessica Henry was named to the all-freshman team, that a Tiger has earned all-freshman honors. Henry and Barnett are the only two Tigers to receive this award since the league began in 1995.

The Tigers open the tournament as a No. 11 seed against No. 6 seed Tulane, Thursday, at 6 p.m (EST). Tulane, one of six Conference USA teams to be ranked in the Midwest Region, is ranked 10th in the poll released today.

The all-freshman team is as follows:
All-Freshman Team
LAURA LAUDER, S, Cincinnati
ANASTASIA ZAITSEVA, OH, Louisville
ANN LOPATA, OH, Marquette
BRITTANY BARNETT, OH, Memphis
SHANNAN SWINEY, S, Saint Louis
LAUREN JONES-MCCLAIN, OH, Tulane