Aug. 5, 2002

Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – The University of Miami volleyball team, coming off their first season since 1981, is ranked sixth in the 2002 BIG EAST Volleyball Preaseason Poll released on Aug. 1. The Hurricanes played a regional schedule last season and begin BIG EAST competition in the fall.

Miami finished the 2001 season with an impressive 17-7 record, including a 2-0 mark versus BIG EAST opponents. The Hurricanes recorded a 3-0 sweep of St. John’s and a 3-1 victory over preseason No. 2 Pittsburgh.

“I am excited to see that we are ranked sixth in the conference,” said head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch. “It shows that BIG EAST coaches are giving us a lot of respect based on last season’s results. We are certainly looking forward to battling in the BIG EAST this year.”

Lantagne Welch was recently selected to the ACC 50TH Anniversary Volleyball Team as a member of the University of Maryland from 1990-1993. Lantagne Welch’s 2001 winning percentage ranks second all-time behind Cheryl Holt’s 1981 46-15-1 record.

Additionally, the Hurricanes return seven letterwinners from last year’s squad, including four starters in Marcela Gamarra, Jamie Grass, Mallorey James, and Valeria Tipiana. Gamarra, a 6-0 senior from Medillin, Colombia, is expected to the lead the attack. She averaged a team-high 4.46 kills per game and led the team in total attacks with 804 in 2001.