Lady Rebel Volleyball Opens Season At The Alamo

Aug. 30, 2000

OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss volleyball team opens its 2000 season Friday in San Antonio. The Lady Rebels will face the host University of Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners at noon, in opening round play at the UTSA Invitational.

Ole Miss returns four starters from last season's team that went 10-19 overall and 1-14 in SEC play. Seniors Renata Nowacki and Kira Zschau return to the court for the Lady Rebels along with juniors Jaime Burns and Leigh Rittiner.

Nowacki, a Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada, native, returns at setter for Ole Miss. She was second on the team in assists with 420 in 1999 and will be looked upon by Lady Rebel head coach John Blair to lead the team.

"We will really look to Renata for leadership," said Blair, who is beginning his 15th season at Ole Miss. "She is great at getting the team together and we will rely on her to control the tempo."

Zschau will also be looked upon to lead the Lady Rebels from her outside hitter position. The Dunedin, Fla., native, who is known for her consistent play and all-around athletic ability, was second on the team last season with 301 kills.

Burns returns for her junior season after leading Ole Miss in kills a year ago with 336 and Rittiner will be back at her opposite position where she is coming off a solid sophomore campaign that saw her post 92 kills, 50 digs and 65 total blocks in 98 games. The left-hander has a better understanding of her position and will play an important role for the Lady Rebels this season.

"Leigh has really made some great strides in understanding her role as an opposite player," said Blair. "This year we will not only be counting on her as a hitter, but also as a defensive stopper."

After going against the host team in their first match of the tournament, Ole Miss will also face Sam Houston State, Oregon and Wyoming. The Lady Rebels will play the Bearkats at 5 p.m. Friday. Saturday they will match up against the Ducks and Cowgirls at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., respectively.

Ole Miss' home-opener is Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. against Georgia.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

Related Videos