November 27, 2006 LADY SAINT ALUM PLAYING IN NCAA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT Kelli Kirkwood Former Seward County Community College volleyball standout, Kelli Kirkwood, will be playing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Volleyball Championship with the Winthrop University volleyball team. Kirkwood , a junior at Winthrop has helped the Lady Eagles volleyball team to a 34-2 overall record and to the programs fifth consecutive Big South Conference Tournament championship. This season also marks the fifth consecutive season that Winthrop has advanced to the NCAA Division I National Tournament. Winthrop will play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Nov. 30 against the University of Northern Iowa (27-7). Kirkwood , a 5-foot-8-inch defensive specialist from Lecompton , Kan. , has been one of the top defensive players this season for the Lady Eagles. Kirkwood has started in 29-of-36 matches, and has played in 121-of-126 games. This season, Kirkwood has recorded 217 digs (fourth on the team), 58 assists (third on the team), 27 services aces and 11 kills. Kirkwood is one-of-seven newcomers on Winthrop ’s roster this season. Kirkwood played for the Seward County volleyball program from 2004-2005, helping the Lady Saints to an overall record of 51-38. Kirkwood was a two-time Jayhawk West All-Conference selection, earning First Team honors as a sophomore, and being named Honorable Mention in 2004. In 2005, Kirkwood was the Lady Saints starting setter while earning Second Team NJCAA All-Region VI and was named NJCAA Player of the Week. Kirkwood collected 1,448 assists, 74 aces, .337 hitting percentage and played in 137-of-137 games during her sophomore season. Kirkwood ’s 1,448 assists rank her sixth all-time in single-season assists at SCCC. The Lady Eagles also won their third consecutive Big South regular season championship this season, and have extended their Big South Conference regular season winning streak to 54 regular season matches. Winthrop is currently on an 18-match winning streak, and enters the NCAA Tournament after a three-game sweep at the University of Georgia .