April 3, 2006

BLACKSBURG, Va. - The Virginia Tech volleyball team has announced its 2006 spring schedule, beginning with a scrimmage on Saturday, April 8 at 1:30 p.m. against Wake Forest in Cassell Coliseum.

Tech will also be featured in the University of Virginia spring tournament on April 22^nd.

The Hokies are returning five starters from the 2005 season, in which Tech finished 13-18 overall, 8-14 in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

At middle hitter, junior starters Katie Esbrook and Allie Kupec both return. Esbrook averaged 3.26 kills per game and led the Hokies with 118 blocks. Kupec tallied 100 blocks with 2.46 kills per game.

Sophomore libero Amanda Cloyd, who has been the starting libero since her fresman year, tallied 4.87 digs per game last season. Also in the back row, sophomore Rachel Dulla returns after ACL surgery. She played in 16 games last year.

Outside hitter Sarah MuÒoz and right side hitter Jen Albrecht look to provide a strong one-two punch. As a freshman, Munoz led the team with 3.46 kills per game and 29 service aces. Albrecht, a sophomore who has shown marked improvement in her first two years, played in all 110 games with 2.28 kills per game and 65 blocks. Junior Kendra Sytsma was also a strong hitter for the Hokies, with 0.91 kills per game in 44 games. She also had 55 digs.

Freshman Kirstyn Godwin, who played several games in the back row towards the end of the season, will be looking to contend for a starting spot at setter following the graduation of Melissa Markowski, who ended her career as the all-time leader in assists. Godwin tallied 1.48 digs per game in 2005.

Also returning is Cathy Jansen, a freshman hitter who saw action in nine games.