Fresno State Athletics
Volleyball Opens Season Wtih Intrasquad Scrimmage And Barbeque
8/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 26, 2005
Fresno, Calif. - Fresno State Volleyball makes their 2005 debut tonight by welcoming fans to the North Gym. The team will be hosting a barbeque in front of the North Gym beginning at 6 p.m, followed by an intrasquad scrimmage beginning at 7 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
The scrimmage marks the first public action for the 2005 team, which features an equal mix of old and new players as nine apiece make up the 18 players squad. Among the players returning from last season's 15-13 squad are outside hitters Mounia Nihipali and La'akea Campbell, Middle Blocker Alisha McKee and setter Ilima Sam Fong. The team also brings back two starters in Yuko Mori and Robyn Keune. Mori, a sophomore libero was the only player on last year's team to see time in every game in 2004, and led the team in digs with 365. Keune returns for her senior year at setter, and should continue to move up the Fresno State records for assists and assist per game, where she currently ranks fifth and fourth respectively.
The scrimmage also makes the 2005 debut of new head coach Ruben Nieves. Formerly the men's coach at Stanford, Nieves led the Cardinal to a National Championship in 1997, and looks to bring his knowledge and experience to Fresno State.
Fresno State will begin intercollegiate play next Tuesday, heading to the Special Events Center to face Fresno Pacific in a exhibition match. That match will begin at 7 p.m.
