April 25, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University volleyball team will begin its 2003 home spring season this evening with a 7 p.m. match against the University of Nevada-Reno in the Leavey Center. Tonight's event will be one of two that the Broncos will host during their abbreviated spring schedule.
SCU began its spring schedule with a tournament hosted by Cal State Bakersfield on April 12. In that tournament the Broncos defeated CSUB, Arizona and Stanford before losing to Pacific.
Head coach Jon Wallace leads his troops into action this evening without the services of many of their top-returning players. Freshmen Alyssa Lantz and Kim McGiven along with sophomores Megan Johnston and Christina Vick will all not be in action this spring due to injuries.
"My philosophy is still the same as it was earlier this spring," said Wallace. "We have a few players returning that need these games to get back into midseason playing form. We also have some new players and some returning players that just need time on the court to get to know each other's style of play. We will use these games this weekend to continue to develop our individual skills and team cohesiveness."
Junior All-American Becky Potter will also be limited in her action as she is still recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. Her action will be limited to that of the Libero. Sophomore Toni Muratore makes her return to the Leavey Center floor after suffering a broken ankle during the team's preseason in 2002, forcing her to miss all of her sophomore year.
Last year's national leader in assists, Kelli Sousa, also returns and will have several weapons still at her disposal for the match. Freshman Cassie Perret, who finished the year with the second most kills on the team in 2002, alongside junior Becky Biniek will see several hitting chances from Sousa. Transfer Jacqueline Heler, who has been dominating thus far in the spring, will also get many looks from the All-West Coast Conference setter.
Following tonight's game with Nevada, the Broncos will host a six-team tournament on Saturday in the Leavey Center. Alongside SCU and Nevada will be Oregon, Pacific, Sacramento State and San Jose State. The all-day tournament is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.