Wake Forest Athletics
Volleyball Hosts Deacon Invitational This Weekend
8/29/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 29, 2001
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- The Wake Forest Demon Deacons will host the 2001 Deacon Invitational this weekend. The Demon Deacons look to repeat last year's 3-0 sweep in the Deacon Invitational. This year's field includes East Carolina, Mississippi State and Northwestern.
The Demon Deacons were 21-9 under first year head coach Valorie Baker last season. Wake Forest went 10-6, placing third in the ACC. They lost two starters but have veteran players senior outside hitter Trina Maso de Moya (2000 ACC Player of the Year) and senior middle blocker Margaret Davidson (second team All-ACC). Newcomer Valerie Rydberg shows a lot of potential for this season.
East Carolina went 17-13 under the guidance of head coach Colleen Farrell in 2000. The Pirates went 6-3 in the CAA last year. ECU returns seven of their letterwinners, while losing four.
Mississippi State is coached by Brenda Bowlin and finished 16-14 overall and 3-12 in the SEC. The Bulldogs lost two starters but returned middle blocker Michele Gordon, outside hitter Misty Hubenthal, setter Dawn Steinhauser and outside hitter Tanika Taylor.
Northwestern struggled last year under head coach Keylor Chan, going 5-25. The Wildcats went 2-18 in the Big Ten. Northwestern returns top players including middle blocker Erika Lange, setter Kelli Meyer, middle blocker Sarah Ballog and outside hitter Molly Kamp for the 2001 season.
This will be the first match of the season for all teams involved. Wake Forest is currently 15-0 against ECU. This will be the first meeting Wake has against Mississippi State and Northwestern. There will be admission charged: $5 adults, $3 youth and students get in free with their Wake Forest student ID.
Deacon Invitational Game Times
Friday, Aug. 31st
Northwestern v. East Carolina 5 p.m.
Wake Forest v. Mississippi State 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 1st
Northwestern v. Mississippi State 11 a.m.
Wake Forest v. East Carolina 1 p.m.
East Carolina v. Mississippi State 5 p.m.
Wake Forest v. Northwestern 7 p.m.
