Sept. 5, 2001
With a 2-1 record in its pocket, the Georgia Tech volleyball team returns home to host the annual Georgia Tech Classic this weekend in O’Keefe Gymnasium. On Friday at 7:30 p.m., the Yellow Jackets will face #12 Colorado State, who enter the tournament with a 3-0 record. Saturday Tech will take on Georgetown at 1 p.m., followed by a contest on Sunday with Louisiana State (2-1) at 3 p.m.
“This is going to be a great tournament,” said head coach Shelton Collier. “Obviously the headline team is Colorado State, who is coming in with a lofty national ranking. Our goal is to upset them on our home court,which is a legitimate goal for our team. We are also really looking forward to playing Georgetown and LSU, and are expecting great matches against them.”
Friday night’s match against the Rams marks the second time that the two teams have met. Last season, the Jackets fell to then-No. 3 Colorado State in the finals of the Coors Light Classic. In addition to being the season-home opener for Tech, one Georgia Tech student will have the chance to win two tickets to the upcoming Florida State football game, or a chance with walk a golf course with golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
Saturday afternoon Tech will square off against Georgetown. The Hoyas enter the tournament with a 1-2 record and are led by outside hitter Yuli Vtyurina. The two teams have faced each other once before in 1991, with the Hoyas winning in five games.
Tech’s final match of the tournament will be against LSU on Sunday afternoon. Tech lost to the Tigers in their only previous meeting in four games in the 1993 NIVC tournament. The match will be televised regionally on a tape delayed basis on Fox Sports Net South on Sept. 16th at 4 p.m. and again on Sept. 18 at 12 p.m.
Tech began the season with a second place finish in the Utah Classic, defeating Texas Tech and Rhode Island, but falling to No. 21 Utah. Earning all-tournament honors and leading the Jackets are outside hitter Maja Pachale (5.00 kills per game/2.11 digs per game), middle blocker Kyleen Bell (.370 avg./1.67 blocks per game) and defensive specialist Keight Vincent (1.56 digs per game).
“I was pleased with our effort and our determination at times last weekend, but I was disappointed that we were unable to win the match against Utah,” said Collier. “That was a match that we had been pointing to, and it was an important match to win. We still need to improve in a lot of areas in order for us to have the successful season that we are hoping to have.”
“I think our players are very excited to be home,” said Collier. “We have some new renovations in O’Keefe this year and are expecting large crowds this weekend for our matches. Having a nationally ranked opponent in Colorado State here is a real exciting opportunity for our team. This should be a great tournament this weekend.”
