Aug. 27, 2003

On having a young team:

“Six out of 12 of our members are freshmen or newcomers. We will be very athletic. This year’s team is the most athletic team we have ever had. Six have touched well over 10 feet, and we are in a position where we are athletic enough to win a championship in the future.”

On schedule:

“We have a very difficult preseason schedule and it will prepare us this year for conference play, as well as competition for the future.”

“We open up with 2002 NCAA champions, Southern California. We will be introduced to good play early. One reason we scheduled Southern California is because they will return to our gym in 2004 and will be the highest ranked team we have ever played at home.”

“We host Michigan State in our season opener. They are a very good top 20 team.”

On new players:

“Newcomer Lynae Vanden Hull is a redshirt freshman who is a big lefthander. That will help fill the shoes of Cally Plummer, who was also a lefty.”

“Shonda Cole out of Kings Mountain, N.C., has a bright future and will continue to become more consistent. She is a very good athlete and a superstar in the making.”

“Lauren Ford is a transfer from Wisconsin, she has secured a middle blocker position, she is very solid.”

On community support:

“Thanks for the support and we are looking for a good crowd for next week’s home tournament against Michigan State North Carolina.”