Husker Red/White Volleyball Scrimmage Set for Saturday

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln ? The Husker volleyball team is just two days away from opening its 2007 season with the annual Red/White Scrimmage this Saturday, Aug. 18. First serve is set for 7 p.m., and tickets are available for the first chance to see the defending national champion and nation’s top-ranked team in action.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Fans who also come to Saturday’s match will also be in for a special treat, as the Husker players will receive their national championship rings and the national championship banner will be unveiled following the match.

 

“It will be a special night for our fans across the Husker Nation,” Nebraska Coach John Cook said. “We wanted our fans to be part of the rings ceremony because they are what makes our program special and played such an important role in helping us win the national title.”

 

Tickets for that match are on sale now with all seats on Saturday set aside as general admission and are priced at $10 for adults and $8 for youth and seniors. In addition, there is no cost for UNL students with a valid student ID and for children ages 6 and under. Coliseum gates open at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

 

For fans who can’t be in attendance for Saturday’s scrimmage, the match will be available across the state on the radio on the Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and Omaha, and on Huskers.com. It marks the first time that the Husker Red/White scrimmage has been carried on the radio. In addition to Saturday’s radio broadcast, the postgame festivities will also be available on HuskersNside shortly following the match.

 

Cook said that Saturday’s Red/White scrimmage helps ease the transition for the new players in the program. This year, the incoming class has five freshmen, including four Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selections.

 

“We talk about performing when the big lights come on, and for many of our players, this is their first chance to experience the Nebraska Coliseum in this type of setting,” Cook said. “No matter whether a player or coach, nerves when you step on the Coliseum floor for the first time in a match.”

 

While Saturday’s match will highlight Nebraska’s top-five recruiting class, another Husker steps back into the limelight when senior Christina Houghtelling takes the floor for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery in June of 2006. Two years ago, Houghtelling was the AVCA National Player of the Year, helping the Huskers to a runner-up NCAA finish.

 

The Huskers open the regular season next Friday, Aug. 24, in Omaha at the AVCA Showcase when they take on the Tennessee Lady Vols. Tickets are going quickly for the AVCA event and fans can visit Ticketmaster.com for more information on all-session passes.

 

-- Huskers --