Miami Volleyball Opens 2002 Home Schedule With Hurricane Invitational
Sept. 5, 2002
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – The University of Miami women’s volleyball team (4-0, 0-0 BIG EAST) storms into its second season with the 2002 Hurricanes Invitational Tournament beginning this Friday atthe Knight Sports Complex on the Coral Gables campus.
Miami’s first match will be Friday at 12:30 p.m. against Howard followed bya 7 p.m. contest against PAC-10 Conference member Oregon. Along with the Big12 Conference, the PAC-10 is traditionally one of the strongest conferencesin collegiate women’s volleyball.
Saturday, the Hurricanes will conclude round-robin play with a match againstFordham at 3 p.m. in the Knight Sports Complex.
Second-year head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch, a former two-time All-AtlanticCoast Conference selection at the University of Maryland and a member of theACC’s 50th Anniversary Squad, said that the purpose of the tournament is tobring teams throughout the United States to Miami as well as gear her teamup for the upcoming BIG EAST Conference season.
“It’s early in the season and it gives you chance to get into a rhythm andexperiment with your lineup,” Lantagne Welch said. “Also, there should besome great matches.”
Last weekend, Miami won the Wichita State Tournament, sweeping throughcompetition with defeats over Georgia 3-1, Stephen F. Austin 3-1, New Mexico3-1, as well as host-school Wichita State 3-0.
Sophomore outside hitter Valeria Tipiana was selected as the tournament’sMVP. She was also named the Big East Player of the Week, UM’s first-everhonoree.
Last season, Miami finished second in its own tournament. Returning to thecourt this year is all-tournament selection senior Marcela Gamarra. Alsoreturning to the Hurricanes’ lineup this year are sophomores Mallorey James,Christina Hernandez, Ashley Youngs, Jamie Grass, and Elizabeth Tyson.
The Hurricanes are coming off of their inaugural season in which they went17-7 as an independent. This season will be Miami’s first as a member of theBIG EAST Conference. Last season, the Hurricanes played two BIG EAST teams,Pittsburgh and St. Johns, and defeated both.
For more information on University of Miami athletics log on to its websitewww.hurricanesports.com, the official site for all Hurricane news, ticketsand apparel. For Hurricane ticket information call 1-800-GO CANES.
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