Volleyball set for First Road Trip of 2008
9/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 3, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Following an exciting weekend of action at home, the volleyball team is set to head south for its first road trip of the season to take part in the eighth annual Hurricane Invitational at the Knight Sports Complex in Coral Gables, Fla. The Tide, which sits at 2-1 on the season, opens up competition Friday, Sept. 5 at 9:00 a.m. (CST) against defending Summit League champion South Dakota State and turns around for a night match against Virginia Commonwealth at 6:00 p.m. (CST). Alabama will end the tournament with host Miami at 10:00 a.m. (CST) on Saturday, Sept. 6.
"We are all anxious to compete again," said head coach Judy Green. "This tournament is going to be very good. We are going to see three contrasting styles of play which means we've had to prepare for those three different styles. All of this flexibility in a non-conference tournament gives our players a lot of experience that will most certainly be needed down the road."
Alabama will play South Dakota State and Virginia Commonwealth for the first time in program history. South Dakota State posted a 1-2 record following its opening weekend. The Jackrabbits beat Southeast Missouri 3-1, but fell to No. 15 Middle Tennessee State 1-3 and Idaho 0-3. Virginia Commonwealth went 2-1 as it hosted the VCU Third Degree Sportswear Invitational. The Rams took a 3-0 decision against both N.C. State and Kansas before dropping a 0-3 loss to Maryland on the second day of the tournament.
Saturday's meeting with Miami marks the 13th between the two programs with Miami edging Alabama 7-5 in the series. The last time the Tide met the Hurricanes was on Aug. 25, 2006 in Tuscaloosa where Miami took the match 3-2. The Hurricanes enter the weekend with an unblemished record of 4-0 after winning the CenturyTel Premier Tournament held in San Marcos, Texas. Miami downed Sacramento State, Texas - Pan American and Louisiana Monroe in straight sets 3-0, but gave up one set to Texas State 3-1.
"This week we needed to get back in the gym and get things figured out defensively," said Green. "Our focus was on getting the block coordinated with our back-court defense. We also wasted to continue to work on the things we're good at. Our side out is certainly good and one of our key strengths."
Hurricane Invitational Full Schedule:
Thursday, Sept. 4
5:00 p.m. (CST) Miami vs. South Dakota State
Friday, Sept. 5
9:00 a.m. (CST) Alabama vs. South Dakota State
1:00 p.m. (CST) Virginia Commonwealth vs. South Dakota State
6:00 p.m. (CST) Alabama vs. Virginia Commonwealth
Saturday, Sept. 6
10:00 a.m. (CST) Alabama vs. Miami
5:00 p.m. (CST) Miami vs. Virginia Commonwealth
