NU to Host AVCA/NACWAA College Volleyball Showcase

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 17, 2005) ? The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) are pleased to announce that the University of Nebraska at Lincoln has been selected as host for the 2005 AVCA/NACWAA College Volleyball Showcase to be held on Aug. 26-27.

The event will be held in Omaha at the Qwest Center OMAHA with times to be determined. The remaining three teams in the four-team field will be announced later.

Nebraska has hosted the event twice before in 1999 and 1995. The Huskers will be making their fifth appearance in the event, and first time since 2001 when they won the tournament championship.

“Nebraska has historically been a championship-contending team on the court year-in and year-out, but its administration, facilities and location to Omaha provided additional reasons for selection,” AVCA Executive Director Katherine McConnell said. “Nebraska has a reputation for hosting premier events in a first-class manner. It is also hard to overlook the program’s ability to draw several thousand fans to its volleyball matches providing a tremendous environment for not only the fans, but also the student-athletes.”

"Hosting the AVCA/NACWAA College Volleyball Showcase at the Qwest Center is a great opportunity to show the rest of the country the support that volleyball receives, not only in Nebraska, but throughout the Midwest," Nebraska Head Coach John Cook said. "For our program, having an event like this gives us a chance to expand our fan base and provide opportunities to fans who are unable to get tickets for the matches at the NU Coliseum. This is the first of several major volleyball events over the next two years at the Qwest Center, along with the NCAA Regional in December and 2006 NCAA Championships, that will fans to see college volleyball at its highest level."

Nebraska finished the 2004 season with a 30-2 overall record and a 20-0 mark in the Big 12. The Huskers advanced to the NCAA Tournament regional finals before losing to Southern California in five games. Nebraska returns six starters from last season and loses just three letterwinners. Middle blocker Melissa Elmer, who will be a senior in 2005, is a two-time AVCA All-American. Sarah Pavan, who will be a sophomore right side/opposite hitter for the Huskers in 2005, was selected to the AVCA All-America First Team and named AVCA National Freshman of the Year in 2004. Jennifer Saleaumua, a senior-to-be outside hitter, was tabbed to the AVCA All-America Second Team in 2004. Setter Dani Busboom was named AVCA All-Central Region honorable mention as a sophomore in 2004.