Miami Travels to Rice Spring Volleyball Tournament
March 24, 2010
Rice Spring Volleyball Tournament Information (PDF) 
Coral Gables, Fla. – Head volleyball coach Nicole Lantagne Welch and the Hurricanes volleyball team will travel to Houston on Sat., Mar. 27, where the University of Miami will participate in a five-team spring tournament hosted by Rice University.
All matches are free, and will be housed at Tudor Fieldhouse on the campus of Rice University. The matches will be split between Autry Court and Fox Gym. The action begins at 9:30 a.m.
The University of Miami is set for its second spring event of a three-event schedule, already having defeated Florida Gulf Coast by a count of 3-0 on Sat., Mar. 13, at the James L. Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Fla. Joining the `Canes in this weekend’s event will be Arkansas, Baylor, Texas A&M and Rice.
Miami will meet Texas A&M at 9:30 a.m., followed by Rice at 10:30 a.m. The final match of the day for the Hurricanes will pit UM against Baylor at 1 p.m.
Lantagne Welch and her staff are eager to take part in this weekend’s event, and happy to return to a state in which they have had quality recruiting throughout her tenure in Coral Gables. Texas is also a state that Lantagne Welch coached in, serving as an assistant coach at Texas A&M, prior to arriving in Coral Gables as head coach before the inaugural 2001 season.
“We are looking forward to traveling to Texas where we’ve had a lot of talented players come to Miami in the form of alumni Karla Johnson, Ashley Woods, Angelica Ellis – and of course, current sophomore Ali Becker,” stated Lantagne Welch.
When looking at Miami’s opponents for this weekend, Texas A&M – the `Canes first opponent, advanced to the NCAA “Sweet 16” last year, before falling to in-state opponent Texas. Rice University earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament, falling to in-state foe TCU in the opening round. Baylor advanced to the “Sweet 16” of last year’s tournament, and eventually fell to the University of California in Gainesville, Fla.
“Facing three quality teams that were in the NCAA Tournament this past fall will certainly aid us in learning a lot about ourselves and the things we’ll need to continue to work on in order to be ready for the 2010 season,” said Lantagne Welch.
The matches will be a two-of-three sets format. The first two sets will play to 25 points, while the third set will go to 15. However, coaches can agree to play a third set (if the match has been decided at the conclusion of the second set) if there is still adequate time, and will not affect the start of the next scheduled match.
For more information on this weekend’s Rice Spring Volleyball Tournament, please visit www.riceowls.com.
Upon returning from Houston, Miami will continue its spring practices before concluding the spring schedule with the annual Fiesta on Siesta Key beach volleyball classic on Sat., Apr. 17. Miami is participating as one of the 22-team field at the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge on Siesta Key, Fla. Others participating in this year’s event include in-state schools such as Florida Gulf Coast, USF, Florida UCF, Stetson, Jacksonville, Florida State, Webber, Florida Atlantic, FIU and Southeastern – as well as a host of others outside the Sunshine State.
For information regarding the Collegiate Beach Volleyball Challenge, please visit their official website at /ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=205534841.
For more information on the University of Miami volleyball team, please log on to www.hurricanesports.com. Once there, you will find up-to-date news, stats and information regarding the Hurricanes volleyball program.
Rice Spring Volleyball Tournament Schedule
9:30 a.m. – Rice vs. Arkansas (Autry Court)
9:30 a.m. – Texas A&M vs. Miami (Fox Gym)
10:30 a.m. – Rice vs. Miami (Autry Court)
10:30 a.m. – Baylor vs. Arkansas (Fox Gym)
LUNCH BREAK
1 p.m. – Rice vs. Texas A&M (Autry Court)
1 p.m. – Miami vs. Baylor (Fox Gym)
2:30 p.m. – Rice vs. Baylor (Autry Court)
2:30 p.m. Texas A&M vs. Arkansas (Fox Gym)
