Volleyball Set For Season Opener
Aug 21, 2003 | General
Honolulu, Hawai'i - The 15th-ranked Kansas State volleyball team opens the 2003 season Friday against second-ranked Hawai'i in the semifinal round of the NACWAA State Farm Women's Classic in Honolulu, Hawai'i. First serve is set for 7 p.m. HST (12 midnight CST).
'We have had a great few days here in Honolulu,' head coach Suzie Fritz said. 'We have enjoyed the sights of Hawai'i and have really had a couple of good practices. Our team is looking forward to the challenge of playing such great competition and have been really focused on our first opponent, Hawai'i.'
The Wahine, who advanced to the 2002 Final Four and finished with a 34-2 record, return two-time All-Americans Kim Willoughby and Lily Kahumoku and are a veteran squad with seven seniors on the 2003 roster.
The 2003 Wildcats return six starters from last season's squad, including three first team all-conference selections and the Big 12 Libero of the Year. Senior Laura Downey-Wallace returns after being named the inaugural Libero of the Year in 2002 and Honorable Mention All-Big 12 after averaging 5.47 digs per game.
Senior MB Lauren Goehring was named the 2003 Big 12 Preseason Co-Player of the Year after averaging 3.59 kills per game with a .370 hitting percentage. Goehring also averaged 1.03 blocks per game en route to earning first team all-conference honors in 2002.
Junior setter Gabby Guerre and senior outside hitter Cari Jensen also return after earning First Team All-Big 12 honors a year ago. Guerre averaged 11.75 assists and 2.39 digs per game while Jensen pounded out 3.57 kills per game last season. Senior defensive specialist Kris Jensen and junior middle blocker Lisa Martin round out the returning starters for K-State in 2003.
Friday's match between the Wildcats and Wahine can be heard on a tape-delay basis on KMAN 1350 AM and online at www.kstatesports.com. The match will air Saturday at 12:30 p.m. CT.
Top-ranked Southern Cal will face #3 Florida in the other semifinal match on Friday with the two winners advancing to Saturday's championship match and the losers battling it out for third place Saturday at 5 p.m. The championship game, scheduled for 7 p.m. HST on Saturday, will be nationally televised by ESPN2 on a tape-delay basis.
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