June 25, 2003

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers' volleyball team will gear up for 2003 with a pair of home tournaments and eight matches against teams that competed in the NCAA Tournament last season. Lisa Marston, now in her fourth season as head coach of the 49ers, is looking to build on last year's 18 wins, the most since 1994.

This season's slate includes home matches against C-USA's three NCAA teams from last season -- Cincinnati, Louisville and South Florida. With conference match-ups late in the season, Charlotte should have the opportunity to develop as a team to place them high in the conference standings.

In addition to the conference schedule, two home tournaments present the opportunity for the 49ers to shine at Halton Arena. The season opens with the SpringHill Suites Charlotte Invitational, Aug. 29-30, and will include Florida International, Western Carolina and Akron. Also, Sept. 12-13 the 49ers host Campbell, Winthrop and Oregon State for the SpringHill Suites Charlotte Classic.

The 49ers spend most of September on the road with matches at North Carolina, College of Charleston and Coastal Carolina and tournaments at Duke and Minnesota. Five of the away matches are against teams that made it to the NCAAs in 2002, including Duke, Winthrop, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Minnesota and College of Charleston.

The team wraps up the season with a trip to New Orleans for the Conference USA Tournament, hosted by Tulane, Nov. 21-24.