Sept. 29, 2005

Charlotte, N.C. - The Charlotte 49ers volleyball team will be the first to host an Atlantic 10 competition, when East Division rival Temple comes to town on Friday night. That match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.

49ers students are reminded that this is a Niner Nation double points event, a chance for all students to earn two points towards priority seating through the Niner Nation ticketing program.

The Niners also face divisional foe La Salle on Sunday at Halton Arena, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Temple (10-7, 3-0 A-10) was the only team picked ahead of the 49ers in the East Division in the preseason A-10 coaches' poll. The Owls carry a six-match winning streak, including three straight league wins, into Halton Arena.

The teams figure to develop a nice rivalry over the coming years, as each is expected to be one of the league's better teams. Also, because the teams are in the same division, they will meet twice a year for the foreseeable future and that should up the intensity.

Temple is one of the A-10's perennial powers. The Owls have captured four Atlantic 10 titles in the last nine seasons (and subsequent NCAA bids), including a 2002 season championship that saw Temple advance to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen. They have also mixed in two runner-up finishes, giving them a first- or second-place claim in 7 of 9 seasons dating back to 1996.

The 49ers have won 7 of their last 11 matches, including a split in A-10 play last weekend, to move to 7-10, 1-1 this season. The 49ers helped Charlotte captured the first-ever A-10 competition in any sport with a dramatic 3-2 victory over two-time defending champion Dayton on the road last Friday night.

La Salle (6-9, 0-3 A-10) dropped their third A-10 match to Temple on Tuesday night. They were also swept by Saint Louis and Duquesne in A-10 play this season.

Losers in four straight matches, La Salle had opened the season with a perfect 4-0 record.

Each match is $5 admission for adults, while youth (17 & under) and Charlotte 49ers students with valid ID are admitted free all weekend.