University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Volleyball Invited to 2004 NACWAA Volleyball Classic
2/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Minnesota will be making its second appearance in the tournament in three seasons. In 2002, the Golden Gophers hosted the NACWAA Women's Volleyball Classic. In that tournament, Minnesota defeated No. 8 Pepperdine to advance to the tournament championship before falling to No. 1 Stanford.
The Golden Gophers return 11 letterwinners from last year's team that advanced to the first Final Four in school history. Minnesota finished the 2003 season ranked No. 4, its highest ranking in school history. The Golden Gophers also became the first regional No. 4 seed in the history of the NCAA Tournament to gain a Final Four appearance.
Minnesota finished 26-11 overall and tied for second place in the Big Ten at 15-5. Over the past two seasons, the Golden Gophers have amassed the best record in the Big Ten at 32-8. Minnesota returns Second-team AVCA All-American and two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Paula Gentil, Honorable Mention All-Big Ten setter Lindsey Taatjes, Big Ten All-Freshman team middle blocker Meredith Nelson and Erin Martin who was named to the Pacific Regional All-Tournament team.
"It is certainly an honor to be invited to this prestigious tournament for the second time in three seasons," said Minnesota Head Volleyball coach Mike Hebert. "We look forward to the challenge of playing in a tournament with the nation's best to start off the 2004 season."
The Golden Gophers will see three familiar teams as part of the field of the 2004 NACWAA Women's Volleyball Classic. Included on that list is defending national champion USC, who ended Minnesota NCAA Tournament run last year in the National Semifinals. The Women of Troy return nine letterwinners from last year's national title team, including two-time NCAA Championship MVP Keao Burdine and a pair of All-American middle blockers in Emily Adams and Bibiana Candelas. Last season USC was undefeated with a 35-0 record and ended the season on an NCAA Division I record 47-match winning streak.
Minnesota also defeated host Colorado State in a thrilling five-game match last season in the Diet Coke Classic. The Rams return six starters and 10 letterwinners from a team that advanced to the Regional Semifinals for the fourth time in five seasons. Colorado State won the Mountain West conference with a 14-0 record, and finished the season with a 30-5 overall record. The Rams return Honorable Mention All-Americans Katie Jo Shirley and Melissa Courtney.
The Golden Gophers did not play Georgia Tech in 2003, but defeated the Yellow Jackets in five games on the way to the NCAA Regionals in 2002. Georgia Tech returns 11 letterwinners and six starters from a team that advanced to the school's first ever NCAA Regional Final. The Yellow Jackets posted a school best 34-4 record in 2003. Georgia Tech returns 2003 All-Americans Lauren Sauer and Lynnette Moster to the squad in 2004.
This tournament features two of the last four champions of the NACWAA Women's Volleyball Classic. USC claimed the 2003 title at Hawai'i, while Colorado State claimed the 2000 title at Gainesville, Fla.
"The field for the 2004 NACWAA Volleyball Classic is outstanding and will provide excellent competition to begin the collegiate season," said NACWAA Executive Director Jennifer Alley. "This will be the 10th offering of this prestigious tournament and NACWAA is proud to celebrate this event with these talented teams."
