ECU Volleyball Set to Host Tournament
August 27, 2003 | Volleyball
ECU found itself in a youth movement in 2002 using seven underclassmen in its rotation. One season later, the Pirates have a more experienced group led by junior outside hitter Sarah Vick who led the team with 306 kills and chipped in 225 digs last season. She also led Conference USA with 60 service aces. Junior setter Jessica Vick and freshman setter Heidi Krug both will be running ECU's offense in 2003. ECU's lone senior is middle blocker Alexis Jones, who ranked second on the team in blocks (83) one season ago. Sophomores Erica Wilson, Pam Ferris, Katie Jannusch and Johanna Bertini have all had a good preseason camp. Ferris ranked third in kills (228) and tied for second on the team in digs (225) in 2002. Bertini led the team in digs (294) last season.
UNC Greensboro returns eight letterwinners including five starters from the 2002 squad which finished 7-25. Seniors LaJean Morrow and Kim Dayton both had breakthrough campaigns in 2002. Morrow finished second on the team with 301 kills, after posting just 83 combined kills in her first two seasons. Dayton led the squad as a junior with 359 digs.
Radford is led by sophomore middle hitter Divona Cox, who posted 282 kills last season. Senior setter Bliss Mulligan recorded 1,186 assists and 274 digs in 2002. The Highlanders finished 8-24 in 2002 and advanced to the Big South Tournament. Michael Burch takes over the program in 2003 after spending three seasons at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Burch's team return five starters and eight players with game experience.
Lipsomb has a new head coach in 2003. Brandon Rosenthal takes over a team which finished 4-21 one season ago. The Bisons begin play in the Atlantic Sun Conference after spending the past couple of seasons as an independent.
ECU has faced two of this weekend's opponents in the past. The Pirates lead the series 12-11 over UNC Greensboro with ECU winning last season's meeting, 3-1. Ferris posted a double-double with 17 kills and 14 digs while Sarah Vick added 16 kills. Radford leads the series, 6-2, over the Pirates with the Highlanders winning last season's match, 3-0. Sarah Vick and Ferris each had eight kills for ECU.
"We've been working really hard this preseason. Every player in every position has been giving their all," ECU head coach Colleen Munson said. "We're looking forward to playing other people besides ourselves. Our confidence and enthusiasm is high which has helped build our team chemistry."
Next up for the Pirates after the tournament is a trip to in-state rival UNC Wilmington Tuesday. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
City Hotel & Bistro Tournament
Friday, Aug. 29
Radford vs. Lipscomb, 5 p.m.
ECU vs. UNC Greensboro, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Lipscomb vs. ECU, 10 a.m.
UNC Greensboro vs. Radford, 12 p.m.
UNC Greensboro vs. Lipscomb, 5 p.m.
ECU vs. Radford, 7 p.m.
