Volleyball Voices

UK Volleyball: Robbe Joins Volleyball Staff as Director of Operations

 

UK Volleyball: Robbe Joins Volleyball Staff as Director of Operations

Former standout at Dayton joins Skinner’s staff

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former University of Dayton standout Mandy Robbe has joined the Kentucky volleyball staff as the Director of Operations it was announced by UK head coach Craig Skinner on Monday.

“We are thrilled to have Mandy on board,” Skinner said. “Her passion for volleyball is evident in her experiences as a player and coach. She has a blue-collar work ethic and has shown great leadership in this sport.  Kentucky volleyball will benefit greatly from what Mandy will bring to this program.”

 

Robbe is a former four-year letter winner for the Dayton Flyers who advanced to three NCAA Tournaments and won a combined five Atlantic 10 titles during her tenure.

“I am extremely excited to get started here at Kentucky,” Robbe said. “Coach Skinner and his staff run an elite program, and I am honored to be a part of this team.” 

An exceptional all-around player, Robbe spilt time on the Flyers as a defensive specialist and an attacker. She was voted a team captain in her final season in 2008. Robbe’s talents were abundant, as she was also an outstanding student earning a Presidential scholarship for academics in all four years of college.

 

Robbe’s experience exceeds from the court of play, as she has coached on varying levels including Dayton Flyer camps and the Kingdom and Dayton Juniors Volleyball Clubs. For the previous three seasons she has also served as color analyst on the Dayton volleyball radio broadcast.

 

"This is a great hire for Kentucky and a great fit for Mandy,” Dayton coach Kelly Sheffield said. “They are getting a tireless worker, and someone that will do anything for the sake of the team. Mandy will make the other coaches jobs easier, the players will absolutely love her, and I think she will enjoy working for Coach Skinner. I really enjoyed coaching Mandy and getting to know her even better following her playing career here at Dayton.”

 

Robbe replaces Sara Sjuts, who defined this position for Kentucky volleyball.  Sjuts recently completed her MBA and is pursuing other professional opportunities.

 

“Sara was a central piece in the success of our program for the last seven years and will always be a part of this family,” Skinner said. “We wish her only the best in her future endeavors.”

Visit UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information on the UK volleyball team and all of Kentucky’s 22 teams.

- GO CATS -  

 

UK Volleyball: Klefot Tabbed to A2 National Team Program

 

Klefot Tabbed to A2 National Team Program

All-America libero one of eight defensive players to be selected

LEXINGTON, Ky. – All-America libero Stephanie Klefot has been tabbed to the U.S. Women’s National A2 Team Program it was announced. Klefot is one of 48 athletes with collegiate eligibility to earn selection for participation in this summer’s program.

Klefot is the reigning two-time Southeastern Conference Libero of the Year after setting a single-season UK record with 608 digs while helping lead the Blue and White to a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She claimed second team All-America distinction after a tremendous junior campaign in which she averaged 4.38 digs per set.

The 48 U.S. Women’s National A2 Team Program players hail from 34 different collegiate programs. Eight liberos, 12 middle blockers, 14 outside hitters, six opposites and eight setters comprise the 48 athletes selected.

Klefot is the third Wildcat player under the direction of Craig Skinner to earn selection to the A2 team. Ashley Frazier was a member of the program in 2011 and former All-America setter Sarah Rumely played on the squad in the summer of 2009.

Training begins June 26 at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, while the matches will be held June 30 to July 4 during the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships (GJNC) at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. During the pre-tournament training session, the 48 athletes will be divided into four teams of 12 players that will play one match per day during the GJNC. All matches will be A2 competing against each other in a round-robin format followed by a semifinal and final round.

 “I feel that moving the U.S. Women's National A2 Program to be in conjunction with the USA Volleyball Girls' Junior National Championships will be a very positive move for the program,” USA Volleyball Senior Director Tom Pingel said. “The exposure and impact that the program and its athletes will have at the GJNC will far surpass that experienced at the USA Volleyball Open National Championships with the adults competing. It will also be a ‘win’ for the GJNC event and its participants.”

The 2012 U.S. Women’s National A2 Team program was selected through the U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryouts held Feb. 10-12 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. A record 207 athletes participated in the tryout. Athletes in college and with collegiate eligibility remaining for the 2012 collegiate season not selected to join the U.S. Women’s National Team were eligible for the U.S. Women’s A2 program.

In addition to the new competition format, the U.S. Women’s National A2 Program expanded from 36 players to 48 players in 2012.

Visit UKathletics.com for the most up-to-date information on the UK volleyball team and all of Kentucky’s 22 teams.

 

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Illinois Volleyball Hosts Tianjin on April 17

 

Illinois Volleyball Hosts Tianjin on April 17

ILLINOIS BEGINS SPRING SCHEDULE

Illini to host Tianjin Chinese team on April 17

 

Champaign, Ill.— Fresh off a trip to the NCAA national title game, the Illinois volleyball team opens its spring competition schedule this Saturday (March 31) in the Quad Cities. The Illini and the Iowa State Cyclones will conduct drills in the morning then scrimmage in the afternoon in an event that is open to the public. First serve for the scrimmage is at 2:30 p.m. at Bettendorf High School.

 

The local fans will get a chance to see the Illini in action when Illinois ends the spring with a match against Tianjin, a professional team from China. The Illini swept Tianjin in three sets a year ago. The match at Huff will be April 17 at 7 p.m. Cost will be $1 with proceeds going to the Illini Networkers.

 

Illinois has two other dates on the schedule. The Illini will meet Kansas State on Saturday, April 7 at 1:30 p.m. in a match hosted by Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo., and will play four matches on Saturday, April 14 at the Great Lakes Center in Aurora, Ill. Opponents and match times for that event have not yet been determined.

 

Iowa State ranked eighth in the final AVCA National poll after going 25-6 and advancing to the Minneapolis Regional Final. The Cyclones defeated Milwaukee, Miami, Fla., and Minnesota before falling to Florida State in five sets in the match to get the Final Four. Kansas State finished the year ranked 22^nd nationally after going 22-11 and reaching the Honolulu Regional Semifinal. Along the way the Wildcats defeated Wichita State in round one and upset Nebraska in Lincoln in five sets in the NCAA second round. Tianjin won its second straight Chinese Volleyball Association (CVA) title in 2011, downingGuangdong Hengda in the best-of-three series finals.

 

“We return the bulk of players who played a lot for us except for the outside hitting position,” Illinois head coach Kevin Hambly said. “They’re extremely talented and they’re learning a lot right now. We’re playing a lot more volleyball than we have in the past because we have some players who need the experience of game competition.”

 

HOUSTON VOLLEYBALL: Kaddie Platt Named Houston¹s Head Volleyball Coach

 

HOUSTON VOLLEYBALL: Kaddie Platt Named Houston¹s Head Volleyball Coach

Platt to Lead Cougars After 17 Seasons as Head Coach at Houston Baptist

 

HOUSTON— University of Houston Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades announced the hiring of Kaddie Platt as the Cougars’ new head volleyball coach. Platt becomes the sixth head coach in program history after spending 17 years as head coach at Houston Baptist.

 

“We are so excited to welcome Kaddie, her husband Robert and son Robert Jr., into our family,” Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades said. “When we began the search for a new head volleyball coach we naturally had certain criteria in mind. We wanted someone who fit the culture of Houston Athletics, someone that put the development of their student-athletes first, someone with great integrity who had experience growing a program, someone with great ties to our city and state’s volleyball community and someone who had experience winning championships, with great success on and off the court and a proven winner. As our search progressed, Kaddie’s name continued to present itself and after speaking with her, we knew we had found the perfect leader for our volleyball program."

 

Platt brings a wealth of volleyball knowledge and playing experience to the University of Houston after compiling an impressive 499-157 career record while leading the Huskies at HBU for 17 seasons.

 

“I would like to thank Mack Rhodes, T.J. Meagher, and DeJuena Chizer for giving me this amazing opportunity to lead the University of Houston volleyball program,” Platt said. “I am honored to be a part of the University of Houston athletics department's vision and commitment to excellence. I am looking forward to working with the current players to compete for a Conference USA Championship next season and future BIG EAST Conference Championships.”

 

During her tenure at Houston Baptist, Platt led the Huskies to eight conference championships, five regional titles and six appearances at the NAIA National Tournament, while also recording a National Runner-Up performance in 2002. For that effort, Platt was named NAIA National Coach of the Year and National Tournament Coach of the Year.

 

“The student-athletes’ commitment to their University, their academics and the support from the entire staff makes it a perfect fit for myself and my family,” Platt said. “My husband Robert and 13-year-old son, Robert Jr., and myself look forward to calling UH our new home.”

 

She quickly became the winningest volleyball coach in HBU history after only two seasons. Platt was instrumental in Houston Baptist’s return to the NCAA Division I ranks in 2007, tallying a record of 26-3.

 

Since 2007, Platt led HBU to three 20-win seasons and comes to Houston after a 22-9 campaign in 2011, leading the Huskies to the semifinals of the Great West Conference Tournament and earning Great West Coach of theYear honors.

 

Platt is a 1994 graduate of Houston Baptist and played four years for the Huskies. She currently ranks eighth all-time in digs (1,193),eighth in solo blocks (98) and 14^th all-time in career kills (740).  After pursuing her master’s degree in education, Platt was honored for her success on the court in 2000 when she was inducted into the HBU Sports Hall of Honor and the University’s Walk of Honor.

 

“The University of Houston volleyball program is going in the right direction and I’m eager to share in theexcitement and am looking forward to building on the tradition that is the legacy of Cougar sports,” Platt said.

 

For more information, please visit our website, UHCougars.com.

 

### GO COOGS ###

FAU Sand Volleyball Team Falls to UNF 4-1

 

FAU Sand Volleyball Team Falls to UNF 4-1

Owls to Compete in Sand Tournament This Weekend

                                                                                                                                                                                   

BOCA RATON, FL (March 30, 2012) – The Florida Atlantic volleyball team lost a dual match to the University of North Florida 4-1 on Friday.   

            UNF earned the first point of the match when the squad's No. 4 pair of Nicole Baran and Alison Shirley posted a straight set 2-0 (21-12, 21-9) victory. The Owls answered with their only point of the match claiming a win at the No. 5 spot. Cintia Nightingale and Thacilli Pereira edged the UNF pair of Marija Pantovic and Kelsey Smith in two sets (21-18, 21-17).

            The Ospreys grabbed wins at tandems No. 1-3 to secure the dual match victory. UNF No. 2 posted a 2-0 (21-16, 21-7) sweep as did the Ospreys' No. 3 pairing (21-7, 21-13).

The match closed with the No. 1 pairs treating fans to a thrilling three-set contest. FAU took the first set 21-19 before UNF answered with a 21-12 win in set two. UNF completed the comeback rally winning set three, 15-12.

            The Owls will remain in Jacksonville to play in the North Florida Tournament this weekend.

 

UWM Panthers Volleyball Team Continues Spring Campaign With Win At Marquette Defense Shines

 

UWM Panthers Volleyball Team Continues Spring Campaign With Win At Marquette
Defense Shines

Story link - http://www.uwmpanthers.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/033012aaa.html

MILWAUKEE - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's volleyball team continued its spring season with a win over Marquette Thursday night at the Al McGuire Center.

Official stats were not kept during the match, but UWM rallied to win the contest in five sets, winning the fifth, 15-13. The exhibition event, which also included a joint practice involving the two teams, pitted a pair of squads that played in the NCAA Tournament a season ago.

"It was a really good team effort," UWM head coach Susie Johnson said. "Everyone played and everyone contributed. We made progress, and that is exactly what we're looking for in the spring."

The Panthers have always been known for their defense and are looking to replace all-league libero Morgan Potter this fall. UWM looks to be in good hands, though, after the strong back-row performances Thursday.

"Our passing was really good and that stabilized us the entire match," Johnson said. "Anna (Bartz), Maisey (Mulvey) and Taylor (Golabowski) were all great in the back row and that is a really good thing to see as we look toward the fall."

The Panthers have two more spring events on the schedule. UWM will play at the Great Lakes Center Collegiate Spring Challenge in Aurora, Ill., April 14 before an event at UIC April 21. In the Great Lakes Center Tournament, the Panthers open group play with a match against national runner-up Illinois.

Florida State Sand Volleyball Team Ready For This Weekend’s UNF Sand Invitational

 

Florida State Sand Volleyball Team Ready For This Weekend’s UNF Sand Invitational

The Seminoles will be the favorites at the seven-team, two-day tournament

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State sand volleyball team will look to continue its stellar start to the inaugural collegiate sand season on Saturday and Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. at the nation’s largest tournament– the UNF Sand Invitational presented by Chicago Pizza and Metro PCS.

 

Tournament play will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Jacksonville Beach courts, located just south of the Pier. Joining FSU at the event, will be UNF, Florida Atlantic, Jacksonville, College of Charleston, UAB and Hawai’i, who the Seminoles defeated twice in a doubleheader on Thursday afternoon in Tallahassee.

 

“I expect Hawai’i to be even better this weekend,“ FSU head coach Danalee Corso said. “We are not going to have that home-court advantage. This is going to be the biggest sanctioned event in the country for the entire year. We are coming in as favorites, but I expect there to be some fantastic players there. I saw some for Hawai’i, and I don’t take anyone lightly.”

 

The UNF Sand Invitational is a two-day event featuring pool play on Saturday followed by bracket play on Sunday. Saturday's competition features seven pools of five teams. The top two finishers in each pool along with the top two third place finishers advance to gold bracket play on Sunday. A 12-team silver bracket and seven-team bronze bracket will also be contested Sunday.

 

With an 11-0 record in duals this season, the Seminoles will be favored to win the tournament this weekend, and FSU’s top three tandems – junior Aurora Newgard and sophomore Brittany Tiegs, senior Jekaterina Stepanova and freshman Jace Pardon, and senior Visnja Djurdjevic and freshman Melanie Pavels – should all be in the mix for the 16-team gold bracket title.

 

Tiegs and Newgard won the pairs championship last weekend at Florida State’s Seminole Sand Tournament and the week before at the USC Tournament, as well. Stepanova and Pardon won the pairs championship at the Clash of the Collegians on March 9.

 

For the latest news and updates on the FSU sand volleyball team follow the Seminoles on Twitter at @FSU_SVB.

 

-www.seminoles.com-

Florida State Sand Volleyball Improves to 11-0 with Sweep of Hawai’i

 

Florida State Sand Volleyball Improves to 11-0 with Sweep of Hawai’i

The Seminoles captured back-to-back 4-1 victories over the Rainbow Wahine

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State sand volleyball team kept its undefeated streak intact on Thursday at the Seminole Sand Volleyball Complex, capturing back-to-back 4-1 victories over Hawai’i in an afternoon doubleheader.

 

The Seminoles improved to 11-0 in dual matches in the inaugural collegiate sand volleyball season, and have all but locked up one of four spots at the AVCA National Championships, which will be held from April 27-29 in Gulf Shores, Fla.

 

“Hawai’i was the one team we expected to be really good that we hadn’t seen yet,” Florida State head coach Danalee Corso said. “We beat them 4-1 twice, so I feel good about where we are at. I just need to keep the team sharp, energized and healthy for the next four weeks until we get to the national championships.”

 

Only FSU’s No. 1 team of junior Aurora Newgard and sophomore Brittany Tiegs had an off day, losing their two matches to the Rainbow Wahine.

 

FSU’s other four teams made short work of Hawai’i. 

 

The Seminoles started out the day by winning the first set on every court in Match 1, and three Garnet & Gold tandems breezed to straight set victories.

 

Senior Jekateina Stepanova and freshman Jace Pardon defeated Hawai’i’s Larissa Nordyke and Ashley Lee, 21-17, 21-17, on Court 2 and senior Mallory Kiley and freshman Sarah Wickstrom cruised past the Rainbow Wahine’s Mita Uiato and Elizabeth Blake, 21-9, 21-14.

 

Freshman Melanie Pavels and senior Visnja Djurdjevic put the Seminoles ahead 3-0 to clinch the win on Court 3 after Pavels delivered her third ace of the match to give the duo a 22-20, 21-18 win. Pavels also had the match-clinching point in the second end of the doubleheader.

 

“It felt good that I could finish out a match,” Pavels said. “It’s also awesome to win.”

 

Graduate student Caitlin Haworth and Jeassica McGregor edged out a three-set win on Court 4 in Match 1, defeating Monica Stauber and Alex Griffiths, 21-6, 17-21, 16-14. McGregor tallied a staggering 32 digs and 18 kills in the match.

 

Newgard and Tiegs fell to Hawai’i’s No. 1 team of Elizabeth Stoltzman and Emily Hartong, 17-21, 21-17, 15-12.

 

FSU showed no rust in the second match after a 20-mintue break. The Seminoles won in straight sets on four of five courts. Only Newgard and Tiegs dropped a match, losing to Jane Croson and Ashley Lee, 21-18, 21-19 on Court 2.

 

Stepanova and Pardon moved up to the No. 1 Court for the second match where they dismantled Stoltzman and Hartong, 21-9, 21-11.

 

“Hopefully we can continue to play this well,” Pardon said. “We’ll have to face Hawai’i again this weekend. We have to stay humble and focused, cool and collected. It was a great match. It feels good to defeat such a strong team. We had to battle it out.”

 

Haworth and McGregor improved to 9-0 as team with their two wins on Thursday. The pair moved up from Court 5 to Court 4 against the ‘Bows.

 

“We have three really, really good teams – that are capable of winning a tournament,” Corso said. “I finally feel like I may have figured out our Nos. 4 and 5 teams with our combinations, too. Caitlin and Jeassica are undefeated. They’re playing fantastic. We’ve had some good chemistry from the beginning.”

 

The Seminoles will get to test that chemistry once again this weekend in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday and Sunday at the UNF Sand Invitational presented by Chicago Pizza and Metro PCS.

 

Tournament play will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Jacksonville Beach courts, located just south of the Pier. Joining FSU and Hawai’i at the event, the nation’s largest collegiate competition, will be UNF, Florida Atlantic, Jacksonville, College of Charleston and UAB. 

 

For the latest news and updates on the FSU sand volleyball team follow the Seminoles on Twitter at @FSU_SVB.

 

Florida State vs. Hawai’i Doubleheader Dual
at the Seminole Sand Volleyball Complex in Tallahassee, Fla. - March 29, 2012
Results

Match 1
Florida State 4, Hawai’i 1
Court 1: Stoltzman/Hartong (Hawaii) def. Tiegs/Newgard (FSU) – 17-21, 21-17, 15-12

Court 2: Stepanova/Pardon (FSU) def. Nordyke/Lee (Hawaii) - 21-17, 21-17

Court 3: Djurdjevic/Pavels (FSU) def. Croson/Long (Hawaii) - 22-20, 21-18

Court 4: McGregor/Haworth (FSU) vs. Stauber/Griffiths (Hawaii) - 21-6, 17-21, 16-14

Court 5: Wickstrom/Kiley (FSU) def. Uiato/Blake (Hawaii) - 21-9, 21-14

 

Match 2
Florida State 4, Hawai’i 1
Court 1: Stepanova/Pardon (FSU) vs. Stoltzman/Hartong (Hawaii) - 21-9, 21-11

Court 2: Croson/Lee (Hawaii) def. Tiegs/Newgard (FSU) – 21-18, 21-19

Court 3: Djurdjevic/Pavels (FSU) vs. – Nordyke/Stauber (Hawaii) – 21-12, 21-16

Court 4: McGregor/Haworth (FSU) vs. Blake/Long (Hawaii) – 21-9, 21-16

Court 5: Wickstrom/Kiley (FSU) def. Lelepali/Vorster (Hawaii) – 24-22, 21-19

 

Records: Florida State 11-0, Hawai’i 1-1.
Attendance: 424

-www.seminoles.com-

 

 

FSU Sand Volleyball Team Hosts Hawai’i for a Paint It Pink Doubleheader on Thursday at 4 p.m.

 

FSU Sand Volleyball Team Hosts Hawai’i for a Paint It Pink Doubleheader on Thursday at 4 p.m.

The Seminoles will put their undefeated (9-0) dual record on the line

         

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida State sand volleyball team will put its undefeated dual match record on the line against Hawai’i in a “Paint It Pink” doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Seminole Sand Volleyball Complex.

 

FSU’s five-court complex is located north of the soccer and softball fields and between the track and field complex and the parking garage on Spirit Way. Parking will be available in the lot across from the courts and in the Spirit Way parking garage.

 

The second dual will begin 30 minutes after the first dual’s completion.

 

“Hawai’i is the final team we haven’t seen that we expect to be a really strong opponent,” FSU head coach Danalee Corso said. “It will be fun. I’m from Hawai’i and I know their coaches (head coach Scott Wong and volunteer coach Danny Alvarez). I’m excited to host them. They have a great volleyball tradition at that school.”

 

Fans are encouraged to wear pink and support the Seminoles as they raise breast cancer awareness. Commemorative t-shirts will be available with a minimum $10 donation and all proceeds will benefit the Sharon Ewing Walker Breast Health Center and Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

 

“I hope we get a great crowd for ‘Paint It Pink,’” Corso said. “It’s great to play a sport you love and compete for a great cause. That makes it more special. It’s a small way we can give back, and hopefully we can do a lot more of it in the future.”

 

Florida State is 9-0 in dual matches and defeated Southern California, Stetson and FGCU this past weekend at the Seminole Sand Tournament.

 

The Rainbow Wahine cruised past Jacksonville on Tuesday, 5-0.

 

Hawai’i is expected to be one of the toughest opponents the Seminoles have faced this season. The ‘Bows have one of the nation’s top indoor volleyball programs, finishing with a No. 3 national ranking and advancing to the NCAA Regional Semifinals in the fall.

 

Hawai’i’s sand squad is led by freshmen Emily Hartong, a second-team AVCA indoor All-American, and Jane Croson, who captured the U19 beach volleyball world championship with Pepperdine’s Summer Ross in 2010. 

The Seminoles hold a 44-1 overall mark in all matches in dual play, only losing one match to USC in a 4-1 dual win last Saturday.

 

FSU junior Aurora Newgard and sophomore Brittany Tiegs are coming off back-to-back pairs championship titles, having won the USC Tournament two weekends ago and the FSU Sand Tournament on Sunday.

 

For more information and up-to-the-minute updates on the Florida State sand volleyball team, follow the Seminoles on Twitter at: @FSU_SVB.

 

-www.seminoles.com-

 

The Southeastern Conference Unveils 2012 League Volleyball Schedule

 

The Southeastern Conference Unveils 2012 League Volleyball Schedule

By Todd Mounce, Media Relations Graduate Assistant

 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The 2012 University of Tennessee volleyball schedule has a much difference feel to it as a result of conference expansion. The Lady Vols met their two new league opponents early and often after the Southeastern Conference released the league portion of the schedule Wednesday.

The defending SEC champions begin league play with a pair of matches on the road, starting with a trip to Missouri on Sept. 14. The matchup is the third contest between UT and the Tigers, who split the first two meetings. Two days later the squad travels to Tuscaloosa to square off against Alabama.

The Big Orange is home for four of its next five conference matches, beginning with a weekend series against Arkansas (Sept. 21) and South Carolina (Sept. 23). The Lady Vols then travel to Kentucky on Sept. 28. UK was the only league team to beat Tennessee last season, a 3-2 nail-biter in Lexington.

Tennessee returns to Thompson-Boling Arena, where the Lady Vols were undefeated during the 2011 regular season, Oct. 5 for its second meeting with Missouri. Georgia then invades Rocky Top on Oct. 7.

The next three contests are on the road as Tennessee travels to LSU (Oct. 12), Arkansas (Oct. 14) and Texas A&M (Oct. 19). The Lady Vols and Aggies have faced one another on seven occasions, with UT leading the series 5-2. The most recent trip to College Station came in 1994, while the last matchup between the squads was in the 2004 NCAA Tournament, where UT defeated A&M in the second round.

The Lady Vols then host a pair of return matchups against Kentucky (Oct. 26) and Alabama (Oct. 28).

November’s schedule is split. Tennessee goes on the road for the first two weekends, with matches at Mississippi State (Nov. 2), Florida (Nov. 4), Ole Miss (Nov. 9) and South Carolina (Nov. 11).

The last half of the month contains a season-ending, four-match homestand against Auburn (Nov. 16), LSU (Nov. 18), Texas A&M (Nov. 21) and Mississippi State (Nov. 23). The A&M match will be the first time the Aggies travel to Rocky Top since 1987

Tennessee hosts the Comcast Lady Vol Classic to begin the season. Teams competing along with UT in the tournament are Cincinnati, Florida State and Iowa State. UT also is competing in two more tournaments before conference play, traveling to Minneapolis and College Park, Md. Those dates and opponents have yet to be finalized.      

##Tennessee Lady Vol Volleyball##

 

UWM Panthers Volleyball Team Gets 2012 Spring Season Underway

 

UWM Panthers Volleyball Team Gets 2012 Spring Season Underway
Match schedule runs through mid-April

Story link - http://www.uwmpanthers.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/032112aaa.html

MILWAUKEE - The spring season for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's volleyball team is underway, with the Panthers eagerly preparing for the fall 2012 campaign.

Milwaukee is coming off an impressive 25-5 season in 2011, complete with a perfect 16-0 Horizon League record plus league regular season and tournament titles. UWM also claimed its ninth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, falling in a highly-competitive match against Iowa State.

Now, UWM looks to replace six seniors, including two-time Horizon League Player of the Year Kerri Schuh. But Milwaukee will actually return a veteran and experienced group in 2012, led by honorable mention All-American Rachel Neuberger and region freshman of the year Kayla Price.

This spring, the Panthers are focusing on a few key areas in putting themselves in good position for the fall.

"We need to make sure we can improve upon our ball control and find those people that are going to be able to be consistent at it in the fall," Johnson said as the Panthers look to replace all-league libero Morgan Potter in addition to the strong passing of Schuh. "We're also going to be looking for people to step forward and be leaders. With losing six seniors, it's a critical time to find our leaders and get them comfortable so they can smoothly transition into their roles this fall."

The Panthers got their spring season underway with a matchup against Wisconsin Friday. The teams practiced together and then played five sets, with the Panthers winning two. Three of the five frames were decided by two points. Elizabeth Egerer had 16 kills while Rachel Neuberger added 12 kills and seven blocks.

"We learned a lot in the practice and drills we did and then transitioned into a great match," Johnson said. "We competed really well against a Big Ten school and were still able to try different lineups. It is great for us in the spring to get to play against bigger people - players that jump higher and hit harder. It is good preparation for the fall and excellent experience to compete at that level."

The Panthers will continue to be tested over the rest of their spring schedule. UWM will play at Marquette later this month before playing a pair of weekends in Chicago. The Panthers will be at the Great Lakes Center Collegiate Spring Challenge in Aurora, Ill., April 7 before an event at UIC April 14.

"Facing off against Marquette will be great for us since they made the tournament and won in the first round. Our workouts with them are always productive," Johnson said. "Then the two tournaments in Illinois will give us a chance to see a number of teams from the Big Ten, Missouri Valley and Mid-American Conference. It's also good for us to have multiple matches in one day and allow us to try a number of combinations."

BYU's Hamson Named to U.S. Women's National A2 Team

 

BYU's Hamson Named to U.S. Women's National A2 Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—USA Volleyball announced BYU opposite hitter  Jennifer Hamson was selected to the 2012 U.S. Women’s National A2 Team Thursday after attending the U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryouts in February.

The 6-foot-7 sophomore from Lindon, Utah, participated in the tryouts Feb. 10-12 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The tryouts fell during a bye week in the basketball season, allowing the dual-sport athlete to participate.

“Jennifer has a wonderful opportunity to go and compete this summer for USA Volleyball,” BYU head coach Shawn Olmstead said. “This is an opportunity that doesn’t come along every year especially considering Jen’s basketball schedule. She was excited when she looked on the calendar and saw that she would be able to tryout and is even more excited learning she will get to compete this summer.”

In 2011, Hamson led the women’s volleyball team to a 21-9 record. She averaged 3.94 kills per set and ranked No. 22 in NCAA Division I women’s volleyball for points per set with 4.88. Her performance earned her All-America Honorable Mention, as well as All-Pacific Region.

Hamson recently returned from a contest against DePaul in the first round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in which she scored a career-high 21 points. She also helped the BYU women’s basketball team to its first conference championship title in 10 years March 5 and a second-place finish in conference play.

The open tryouts included both graduated and college-eligible athletes, with graduate athletes selected for the U.S. Women’s National Team and college-eligible athletes selected for the U.S. Women’s A2 program.

Training for the 48-member U.S. Women’s A2 team begins June 26 at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, Ohio. The team will be divided into groups of 12 athletes. The 12-member squads will compete against each other in a round-robin tournament June 30 to July 4 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Following round-robin play, a semifinal and final round will be held.

Coaches for the U.S. Women’s A2 program include Northwestern’s Keylor Chan, San Diego State’s Deitre Collins-Parker, Georgia Tech’s Tanya Johnson, Cal State Northridge’s Jeff Stork and fellow West Coast Conference member Pepperdine’s Nina Matthies.

In spring competition, the BYU women’s volleyball team defeated Utah Valley in a four-set match, capturing all four sets. The team went on to defeat Utah in five sets last Friday. The Cougars dropped the first two sets, but came back strong in the final three to defeat the Utes 3-2 (16-25, 27-29, 25-18, 25-23, 15-11).

Cougar Nation has two more opportunities to see Hamson and the team, with BYU traveling to the Utes’ home court for a tournament Saturday, which begins at 9 a.m., and hosting UVU April 6 at 2 p.m. on Elaine Michaelis Court.

“Our spring has been moving along great,” Olmstead said. “We like the improvement and attention to detail the girls have right now. It’s been nice to compete a bit with local schools and see our progress.  This spring is unique in that we will be participating in a foreign tour. Travelling to Brazil and Argentina will grant us extra competition time and team bonding time as well.”

U.S. National A2 Team Members

Player (college, position, height, college eligibility left, hometown)

Kaycee Acree (Western Michigan University, L, 5-7, 3, Muncie, Ind.)
Tiffany Baker (University of Tennessee, OH, 6-3, 3, Carrollton, Texas)
Maggie Brindock (University of Notre Dame, S, 5-11, 2, Rockwall, Texas)
Kirby Burnham (University of Southern California, OH, 6-3, 2, Newport Beach, Calif.)
Samantha Cash (Pepperdine University, MB, 6-3, 3, San Diego, Calif.)
Rachel Charles (Lehigh University, L, 5-7, 2, Farmington Hills, Mich.)
Karissa Cook (Stanford University, S, 5-11, 1, Santa Cruz, Calif.)
Alexa Dannemiller (University of Michigan, S, 5-11, 3, West Chester, Ohio)
Amy Dentlinger (Michigan State University, OH, 6-1, 1, Arcadia, Iowa)
Tori Dixon (University of Minnesota, OPP, 6-4, 2, Burnsville, Minn.)
Kaitlyn Early (Illinois State University, S, 5-9, 3, Wildwood, Mo.)
Kelli Fiegen (South Dakota State University, MB, 6-3, 1, Parkston, S.D.)
Sareea Freeman (Florida State University, MB, 6-4, 1, Fresno, Calif.)
Katelyn Fuller (University of Southern California, OPP, 6-3, 2, Olivenhain, Calif.)
Alexandra Gossen (Western Michigan University, OH, 6-0, 2, Evanston, Ill.)
Kristina Graven (St. Mary’s College, OH, 6-0, 2, San Jose, Calif.)
Natalie Hagglund (University of Southern California, L, 5-9, 2, Encinitas, Calif.)
Jennifer Hamson (Brigham Young University, OPP, 6-7, 2, Lindon, Utah)
Emily Hartong (University of Hawaii, OH, 6-2, 2, Los Alamitos, Calif.)
Haley Jacob (University of Oregon, L, 5-5, 1, League City, Texas)
Kierra Jones (Purdue University, MB, 6-1, 3, Fishers, Ind.)
Jennifer Keddy (Cal Poly, MB, 6-4, 1, Missoula, Mont.)
Madison Kingdon (University of Arizona, OH, 6-0, 3, Phoenix, Ariz.)
Stephanie Klefot (University of Kentucky, L, 5-6, 1, Louisville, Ky.)
Rachel Krabacher (University of Dayton, OH, 6-4, 1, Cincinnati, Ohio)
Molly Kreklow (University of Missouri, S, 6-0, 2, Delano, Minn.)
Megan Lambertson (North Dakota State University, MB, 6-0, 1, Litchfield, Minn.)
Karsta Lowe (UCLA, OPP, 6-4, 3, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.)
Chloe Mann (University of Florida, MB, 6-1, 2, Gainesville, Fla.)
Meghan Mannari (LSU, L, 5-9, 1, Frisco, Texas)
Ashley Mason (Missouri State University, L, 5-8, 2, Granby, Mo.)
Alexis Mathews (Michigan State University, MB, 6-3, 2, Detroit, Mich.)
Tenisha Matlock (Iowa State University, MB, 6-2, 2, North Platte, Neb.)
Emily McGee (University of North Carolina, OH, 5-10, 1, Naperville, Ill.)
Chaniel Nelson (University of North Carolina, OPP, 6-2, 3, Huntersville, N.C.)
Valerie Nichol (Purdue University, S, 6-0, 3, Normal, Ill.)
Alexis Olgard (University of Southern California, MB, 6-5, 2, Spokane, Wash.)
Mary Pollmiller (University of Tennessee, S, 5-10, 3, Littleton, Colo.)
Gwen Rucker (University of Louisville, MB, 6-2, 1, Lexington, Ky.)
Sara Shaw (University of Southern California, OH, 6-2, 2, Austin, Texas)
Hayley Spelman (Stanford, OPP, 6-6, 1, Las Vegas, Nev.)
Alyssa Squires (UC Irvine, OH, 6-1, 2, Santa Ynez, Calif.)
Ariel Turner (Purdue University, OH, 6-1, 1, Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Lauren Wicinski (Northern Illinois University, OH, 6-2, 2, Geneva, Ill.)
Sarah Wickstrom (Florida State University, S, 5-11, 3, Stuart, Fla.)
Jennifer Wiker (Virginia Tech, OH, 6-3, 1, Charlotte, N.C.)
Kristin Winkler (UC Irvine, L, 5-10, 1, Los Altos, Calif.)
Carly Wopat (Stanford University, MB, 6-2, 2, Santa Barbara, Calif.)

 

 

FAU Volleyball Team Falls to Jacksonville 3-2

 

FAU Volleyball Team Falls to Jacksonville 3-2

Owls Continue Spring Schedule

                                                                                                                 

BOCA RATON, FL (March 29, 2012) – The Florida Atlantic volleyball team lost a sand dual match to Jacksonville 3-2 on Thursday at the Dolphin Beach Volleyball Complex.

            The Owls’ tandem of Joanne Marras Tate and Alessia Pizzocheri outlasted JU’s tandem in three sets. Tate and Pizzocheri won the first set, lost the second, then held off a late Dolphin rally to win the third set 15-13. Darija Sataric and Lauren Jones were swept on the no. 2 court.

            Grace Vega and Isabella Arboleda won their match in three sets at no. 3 to give FAU a 2-1 lead. The Dolphins won the no. 4 match in straight sets to tie the score at two matches each. That brought the match down to the match on no. 5 between Jacksonville’s Jenna Orner and Alison Loeppky and Thacilli Pereira and Cintia Nightingale of FAU.  JU was able to win in straight sets to take the match.

            The Owls will remain in Jacksonville to play in the North Florida Tournament this weekend.

            Final Results: (Flight winners in Bold)

Flight 1- FAU: Joanne Maras Tate/Alessia Pizzocheri def. JU: Kendall Courtney/Cari Whitmire, 2-1
Flight 2- JU: Sammie Strausbaugh/Niatha Cullen def. FAU: Darija Sataric/Lauren Jones, 2-0
Flight 3- FAU: Grace Vega/Isabelle Arboleda def. JU: Nicole Teplitz/Alyssa Robertson, 2-1
Flight 4 – JU: Kathryn Kane/Chelsea Sanderson def. FAU: Sara Stoll/Chandler Hatton, 2-0
Flight 5 - JU: Jenna Orner/Alison Loeppky def. FAU: Thaci Pereira/Cintia Nightingale, 2-0

Final score: JU 3, FAU 2

 

           

- FAU -