Sept. 5, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina volleyball (3-0) returns to action Tuesday night as the Gamecocks host the Charlotte 49ers (0-5) in their 2005 home opener. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Volleyball Competition Facility and admission is just $1. Following the match, the Gamecock volleyball players will also hold an autograph session for the fans. All season long, volleyball action can be heard live via the Internet on uscsports.com.

The Garnet and Black is coming off of a 3-0 weekend after claiming the FSU Tournament title, while Charlotte is still looking for their first win of the season. The 49ers suffered losses to Delaware, Texas-San Antonio and Middle Tennessee State and have fallen to 0-5 on the year.

The Gamecocks are 8-0 all-time against Charlotte with their last meeting coming in 1993. USC won the match 3-1. The series dates back as far as 1982.

Charlotte is led by Abbey Szlanfucht, who was the only Conference USA player last year to rank among the league’s top 10 players in points, kills and digs. As a team, the 49ers ranked fifth nationally in service aces, averaging 2.34 per game.

South Carolina is led by outside hitter Shonda Cole, who averaged 4.45 kills per game, in addition to Nicole Miller, who is leading the team in blocks with 2.00 per game. Defensively, senior Sarah Morgan leads the charge in digs with 4.09 per game. Cole was named tournament MVP down in Tallahassee, while juniors Lynae Vanden Hull and Iris Santos were named to the all-tournament team.

The three matches the Gamecocks have won so far is the most they have won since September 11-19, 2004. The longest streak USC posted last year was four matches, which included the previously mentioned stint.

This will be the only home match until Sept. 30, however, fans will be able to follow live Gamecock volleyball action this season via the Internet at uscsports.com. Internet broadcasts will also be available for the Auburn/Alabama series and the Georgia/Florida series, in addition to any postseason action.