Lady Blues open season at Rockhurst Invitational

For immediate release - Aug. 25, 2004
The Washburn volleyball team will open the 2004 season at the Rockhurst Invitational in Kansas City, Mo. Friday and Saturday. Washburn will face Cameron in the season opener 3 p.m. Friday at the Mason-Halpin Fieldhouse.

The Lady Blues finished 26-10 and 9-7 in the MIAA last in 2003. Four starters return from last season's squand, including AVCA honorable mention All-American Dani McHenry. McHenry had the best hitting percentage (.340), most kills per game (4.26) second most kills (558) and seventh most attack attempts (1,230) in Washburn single season history in 2003. Seniors Katie Brandt and Emily Foster and sophomore setter Juli Sackman also return to the Lady Blue lineup.

The Lady Blues received 16 votes in the AVCA Preseason Division II National Poll on Aug. 10, which placed them just out of the top 25 with the 31st most votes. They were also picked fourth in the MIAA Coaches' Poll.

Washburn travels to Conway, Arkansas Sept. 3-4 for the Central Arkansas Invitational, before hosting William Woods University in the home opener 7 p.m. Sept. 7 in Lee Arena.

ROCKHURST INVITATIONAL MATCHES
August 28 (Opponent record in 2003)
3 p.m. • Washburn vs. Cameron (Okla.) University (21-12)
7 p.m. • Washburn vs. Regis (Colo.) University (14-16)
August 29
9 a.m. Washburn vs. Northwest Missouri State University (5-27)
1 p.m. Washburn vs. Texas Woman's University (16-19)