Sept. 9, 2004

Columbia, S.C. –
The Carolina Gamecocks will try and carry the momentum from their win over Clemson with them this weekend as they compete in the Duke Invitational. Beginning Friday in Durham, N.C., USC (3-1) will play the Blue Devils at 7 p.m. and on Saturday they will face Northern Illinois at 10 a.m. and Towson at 5 p.m.

“This weekend we need to make sure that we continue to play relaxed and together,” said head coach Kim Hudson. “I have seen improvements in every match so far. We need to remember to play our game and stay focused on the task at hand.”

This will be the 15th meeting for the Gamecocks against Duke, and the first meeting against Northern Illinois and Towson. The Blue Devils lead the series 8-6 against the Gamecocks. It also marks the second of three tournaments the Garnet and Black have scheduled for the season. So far, USC is 2-1 in tournament play this year.

Heading into the match, the Gamecocks are led by Shonda Cole, a native of Kings Mountain, N.C., with 65 kills, Lynae Vanden Hull in hitting with .344 and Lauren Ford in blocks with 13.

Duke is a strong 2-2 team with their losses coming to Tennessee and No. 22 Loyola Marymount. Northern Illinois is now 2-3 after coming off of a win against Illinois-Chicago Tuesday, and Towson is 3-1 with their only loss coming to Appalachian State.