Aug. 29, 2001
After nearly three weeks of practice, the 25th-ranked Georgia Tech volleyball team opens its season this weekend in the Utah Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Yellow Jackets will face tough competion with matches against 2000 NCAA participant Texas Tech, and No. 21 Utah.
On Friday, Tech will face the Red Raiders at 1:30 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. matchup with host Utah. The Jackets will play the Rhode Island Rams on Saturday at 1:30 in its final match of the tournament.
“I think we are all excited and optimistic about the upcoming tournament,” said head coach Shelton Collier. “We have been practicing well and making improvements for several weeks, and now we are looking forward to playing against some strong teams.”
“Our matches on Friday will certainly be an important test for our team. Both teams were in the NCAA Tournament last year and have good programs. We have been pointing to this first day of our season realizing that these two matches were going to be challenging and important to our success this year.”
Tech returns three starters to its lineup, including all-ACC performers Maja Pachale (Schwerin, Germany), Kyleen Bell (Rocklin, Calif) and Kele Eveland (Grand Rapids, Mich.). The three new faces to the lineup include sophomore middle blocker Alexandra Preiss (Berlin, Germany), and freshmen outside hitters Lynnette Moster (Liberty, Ind.) and Lauren Sauer (Huntsville, Ala.). In addition, freshman Marisa Aston (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and sophomores Amanda Hess (Indianapolis, Ind.) and Keight Vincent (Atlanta, Ga.) are expected to see playing time as defensive specialists for the Jackets.
“I am anxious to see how our veteran players will blend with the some of new faces this weekend,” said Collier. “I have been impressed with the way both have been playing and this will be a good test for them.”
“I really believe we have an ability to win this weekend if we play the way we are capable of playing.”
The Jackets are coming off of successful 2000 season in which they compiled a 25-8 record as the regular season champions of the Atlantic Coast Conference and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
