Friday, August 12, 2005

JOHNSON CITY, TENN. (August 12, 2005) - With its season opener just three weeks away, the East Tennesse State volleyball team has returned to Johnson City to begin preseason workouts in preparation for its first season in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

Leading the team in 2005 will be veteran right-side hitter Sara Scandiffio (Purcelville, Va.).  The senior had a career year in 2004, recording a team-high 344 kills, posting 2.99 kills per game.  Also returning will be junior setter/right-side hitter Jennifer Sartor (Toronto, Canada) who registered 329 kills last year, plus a team-best 95.0 blocks.

Fellow junior Brittany Kessel (Libertyville, Ill.) is also back this is season after tallying 1,052 assists during her first season with the Lady Bucs in 2004.  Sophomore Callie Kiselich (Colorado Springs, Colo.) is another top returner, following a stellar freshman campaign in which she led the team with a .238 hitting percentage.    

"We're very excited to be back together for the upcoming season," said third-year head coach Lindsey Devine.  "We're also looking forward to moving into the new conference."

The Lady Bucs, who finished 7-22 last fall, will kick off the season at the VCU Third Degree Invitational in Richmond, Va., hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University.  ETSU will open the 2005 campaign with UNC-Greensboro on Sept. 2, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

ETSU will play in its home opener when Wofford comes to Brooks Gym on Sept. 7, with the action slated for 7 p.m.  The Lady Bucs' first-ever A-Sun matchup is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 23, when they host Campbell at 7 p.m., in Brooks Gym.