Miami Returns to Court After 19 Years

Aug. 30, 2001

Coral Gables, Fla. – (www.hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miamiplays its first match in volleyball in 19 years when the Hurricanes take the courtagainst the Davidson Wildcats at 7 p.m. on Friday, August 31st. The Miami women’svolleyball team is in Davidson, North Carolina to compete against host-schoolDavidson, Coastal Carolina and American in the Davidson Tournament which runsthrough Saturday, September 1st.

Miami’s Friday opponent, Davidson, compiled a 24-12 record last year and won theSouthern Conference regular-season and tournament championships for the secondconsecutive season before losing to Hawaii in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.It was also Davidson’s second consecutive trip to the NCAA’s.

The Wildcats lose two-time conference MVP Mara Mordini, outside hitter BrookeBentley and defensive specialist Katherine Lorenz but have a talented corps ofreturnees. Erica Schwartz and twins Jacqueline Ortega and Jennifer Ortega hopeto lead Davidson to another Southern Conference crown.

Friday’s contest between Miami and Davidson marks Nicole Lantagne’s first matchas head coach. Lantagne, hired on September 12th, 2000, is just a few days awayfrom completing her first year in building Miami’s program from scratch.

The Hurricanes will play Coastal Carolina (18-13 in 2000, Big South Conference)at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning. Miami faces American (26-4 in 2000, Patriot League)at 4:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon to complete its tournament schedule.

Miami opens at home against Long Island at 2 p.m. on Friday, September 7th atthe Knight Sports Complex on the UM campus. The Hurricanes host Long Island, Woffordand UAB in the inaugural Hurricane Invitational.

For ticket information for Hurricane volleyball home matches, contact theUM Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-CANES.