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Skyhawk volleyball team takes on nationally ranked Arkansas in tournament


UTM continues preseason volleyball tournament action at the University of Arkansas Friday Sept. 6, against nationally ranked Southern Mississippi University and the University of Arkansas.

The Skyhawks will continue to play on Saturday afternoon against North Texas. The team is ready to continue the tough competitions this weekend.

"Southern Mississippi also recruited three international players that add plenty of depth to the already tough team," said the head volleyball coach Chris Rushing. "Arkansas, has some All-American candidates, and they have received votes to be nationally ranked," he said.

A week ago, the Skyhawks traveled to sunny California in search of stiffer competition. The team finished third overall in the Golden Bear Classic.

The team arrived in high spirits ready to take on some well renowned West-coast schools. The team had a day of sightseeing before starting off the weekend of stout competition.

The Skyhawks began the tournament on Friday Aug. 30 facing off against California-Berkeley. The team fell in three games to Berkeley and later that day to San Jose State in a tough four-game match.

"If we would have made some more serves against San Jose State we would have won the match," Rushing said. The Skyhawks lost 3-0 (25-30, 19-30 and 21-30) to California and 4-1 (30 24, 28-30, 24-30, 31-33) to San Jose State The following day, the team clinched third place with a three-game win over Northern Arizona (30-25, 30-21, 30-22). "Our girls wanted to play against good, solid competition and that's what we are doing," Rushing said.

Senior Lindsey Stock said, "We could have beaten California-Berkeley, and we should have beaten San Jose State, but overall I think we played well."

Seniors Rachel Ahlers and Lindsey Vicknair were named to the Golden Bear Classic All Tournament Team. The team was selected by the participating teams' coaches.

"What was good about this tournament was that we all felt we could beat any of the teams there," said Rushing. "This tournament will give us more confidence for our conference schedule."

The team's last day in beautiful California was spent relaxing on the beach but a short cardiovascular workout was also involved.

The volleyball team then spent the Labor Day Holiday traveling back to UTM for a short stay before heading out to the Arkansas tournament.