Sept. 27, 2002

PROVIDENCE COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL PREVIEW

Virginia Tech at Providence College
Saturday, September 28 - 2:00 p.m. - Mullaney Gymnasium

University of Miami at Providence College
Sunday, September 29 - 2:00 p.m. - Mullaney Gymnasium

PROVIDENCE, RI - The Providence College volleyball team will return to Mullaney Gym for two weekend matches against Virginia Tech and Miami on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29, respectively. The Friars will play at home for the first time since Sept. 10 and the second time this season as they begin play in the BIG EAST portion of their schedule.

Providence has played in five-team tournaments for the past two weekends and earned its first victory of the season on Sept. 14 at the Crowne Plaza Classic hosted by Robert Morris University. The Friars defeated Howard, 3-2 (30-25, 19-30, 24-30, 30-28, 16-14), to close the tournament 1-3. On Sept. 20, at the St. Francis (Pa.) Invitational, the Friars won their second match of the season with a 3-0 (30-28, 30-27, 30-28) defeat of St. Francis (N.Y.) . Freshman outside hitter Katie Fleming (Cary, N.C.) was the Friars' lone All-Tournament Team selection. Fleming and sophomore middle blocker Ayana Cadres (Los Angeles, Calif.) lead the Friars with 176 and 177 kills, respectively. Freshman setter Rachel Tucker (Burleson, Texas) leads the squad in assists with 314 while Cadres is the team leader in blocks with 32.

Virginia Tech (7-7) will open its conference schedule with the Saturday match at Mullaney Gym. Senior Ana Lang (Cuba, N.Y.) leads the Hokies in kills (180) and digs (169). Senior middle blocker Cheryl Stinson (Ottawa, Ontario) has a team-high 58 blocks. This will be the second meeting all-time between the Hokies and the Friars; Virginia Tech leads the series, 1-0.

Under the guidance of second year head coach Nicole Lantagne Welch, Miami (12-0) enters its first season of competition in the BIG EAST. Miami is led by senior outside hitter Marcela Gamarra (Medellin, Colombia) who has a team-high 179 kills. Freshman middle blocker Karla Johnson (Houston, Texas) leads the 'Canes in blocks (42), while freshman setter Margie Young (Santa Monica, Calif.) is the team-leader in assists (304).