July 20, 2004
Hard to believe that there are only 15 more days until the first day of volleyball practice for the Georgia Tech team. Even more difficult to believe that there are only 38 more days until the Jackets open the season against defending national champion Southern California in the prestigious NACWAA Classic in Ft. Collins, Colo on Aug. 27-28. The Jackets will also face either 2003 Final Four participant Minnesota or host Colorado State in the tournament.
“To open our season in this tournament is an exciting opportunity for our program and we are very proud to represent not only Georgia Tech, but also the ACC,” said head coach Bond Shymansky who has compiled a 67-10 record in two seasons at Tech. “This will give our team a chance to compete at the highest level possible and it’s a great opportunity for our team to continue to be seen as one of the rising programs in the country.”
The Yellow Jackets finished the 2003 season with a school-best 34-4 record and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. In the final AVCA/USA Today Coaches poll, the Jackets were ranked No. 8, representing the best ranking at the end of a season. Eleven total letterwinners, including six of seven starters, return for the Yellow Jackets in 2004 including AVCA All-Americans Lauren Sauer and Lynnette Moster.
“We are extremely excited to play USC the first match of the year,” said Shymansky, who begins his third season at the helm of the Jackets. “It will be a huge benefit for us to measure ourselves against last year’s national champs and our team will be fully prepared when August 27th arrives.”
“Reporting date for our team is just around the corner, but our players have worked extremely hard this summer and are looking forward to another great season of Georgia Tech volleyball,” said Shymansky.”
The Jackets open their home season in the Renaissance Georgia Tech Invitational Sept. 10-12 hosting Xavier, Tennessee Tech and Ohio State in the tournament.
