Furman Volleyball to Open Spring Competition at Middle Tennessee State Tournament

March 23, 2007

Greenville, S.C. - The Furman volleyball team will be back in action for the first time since falling to UNC Greensboro in the Southern Conference Tournament quarterfinals last year. The Lady Paladins head to the Middle Tennessee Spring Bash on Saturday, March 24 in Alumni Memorial Gym.

A total of 15 teams will be competing, including four teams that made it to the NCAA Tournament in 2006. The tournament starts at 9 a.m., with pool play. After the lunch break, playoffs will begins to determine the champion. The teams competing include: Middle Tennessee State*, Tennessee*, Alabama*, UAB*, Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, Evansville, Central Arkansas, Chattanooga, Tennessee Tech, Georgia State, Tennessee State, Kennesaw State, Memphis and Furman. (Asterisk * indicates 2006 NCAA Tournament participant.)

The Lady Paladins, who open play against Memphis and Central Arkansas, return four starters to their lineup this year. The 2006 SoCon Player of the Year, Nicole Palazzo, all-conference honorees Chibuzo Aguocha and Courtney Stewardson and rising senior Kerry Wooten who ranked in the league's top three in blocks per game and hitting percentage, all return to the Furman lineup. Palazzo led the league with a .382 hitting percentage and a 1.45 blocks average, while Aguocha led the SoCon in kills per game (4.53) and points per game (5.21). Furman posted a 19-11 overall record last year, including a 15-3 mark in the conference.

"We are looking forward to a production spring," commented 2006 SoCon Coach of the Year Michelle Young. "We return four starters along with five talented underclassmen that will look to play major roles this fall. They have been looking forward to training together this spring and we have some very competitive opportunities to work out the kinks."

Furman will also play in a tournament at UAB on Saturday, April 14, before hosting Georgia on Thursday, April 19 at 6:30 p.m., in Alley Gym.