Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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_ _ Gamecock Sports __ Banquet from page 1 gene E. Stone Stadium (The Graveyard), located adjacent to the football practice fatility. After the most successful season in its young history, women’s soccer coach Sue Kelly is ready to improve upon its program-high 14 wins in 1999. “This is the year we’re gonna’ step up to the challenge and really stand to compete at that high level,” Kelly said. “We really had a wonderful ex perience last year, and the returning class came back in great shape.” The Lady Gamecocks went 14-6 last year with one of the toughest lineups in the nation, and the schedule will not get any easier this year. USC faces No. 9 Clemson in its third match, No. 1 North Carolina in its fourth match, No. 22 Duke two days after UNC and ends the season with'Florida, a national champion two years ago. “The schedule - why?,” Kelly said. “Why? Because we want to go (to the NCAA Tourna ment.)” Although it won’t be easy, Kelly said her team is ready to take on the rest of the SEC. Despite losing all-time leading scorer Jennie Ondo to grad uation, senior Kim Murray and junior Morgan McIntyre are ready to take her place as the go to players on the field. “I can certainly say this team, top to bottom, has better depth and better continuity in the deficit between the best player and the developing play er,” Kelly said. “We could start four freshmen, possibly five, so I think we’ve taken care of (Ondo leaving.)” USC’s first home match is Sunday at Stone Stadium at 3 p.m. The Lady Gamecocks will play host to N.C. State before taking on Clemson and traveling to the UNC Invitational the next week. When Coach Curtis Frye’s track and field team won the 1999 SEC Championship, the USC vol leyball team all tried on the championship ring given to each team member. Since then, the team has ended every practice, every workout and every drill with one word: “ring.” With this lofty goal in mind, the USC vol leyball team is poised to make a run for its fourth NCAA appearance in the past six years. A solid group of returning playe'rs, along with four talented recruits, should produce exciting moments on the volleyball court in 2000. “Coach Frye came in and talked to our team a couple of times last fall, and he has done such an amazing job,” Christopher said. “Ever since he showed us that SEC ring, our girls have wanted one. It may be premature to think that may can happen, but that is our goal.” After a redshirted season in 1999, sophomore Cally Plummer is back to pick up where she left off in 1998 - a freshman who led the NCAA in service aces for most of the year and a first-team All-SEC selection. Also, All-SEC sophomore Bema Dwyer is re turning to a squad that went 14-12 in 1999 while nursing several crippling injuries. USC’s main feature this fall will be height, with the front line on the court averaging 6 feet 2 inches. Christopher also returns a conditioned, ded icated squad that has worked out all summer. “You look at that stadium and look at that up per deck, that’s where they spent a lot of time this summer,” Christopher said. The Gamecocks will play in three tourna ments before starting conference play, two of which will be at home. Also, Christopher is looking forward to the Sept. 13 match against Clemson. “We’ve been thinking about Sept. 13 every single day,” Christopher said. “At least I have.” Along with Clemson, USC will face NCAA contender Florida twice, along with Geoigia twice and the rest of the SEC. Also, Michigan, Miami and Duke dot the Gamecocks’ schedule. With three freshmen, one transfer and 10 vet erans, the volleyball team is ready to claim their first conference championship. Play begins Fri day at 3 p.m. against Liberty, with a 7 p.m. match against Liberty afterwards. Saturday will bring , Xavier at 10 a.m. and Texas Tech at 3 p.m. All matches will be at the Volleyball Competition Facility, located next to Car olina Coliseum. The sports desk can be reached at game cocksports@hotmail. com Student Media " textbook experience Discounted Books Fast Delivery 100% Secure Site r L__ Student Distribution Schedule New Mexico State Aug. 23,24,25,28,29,30 \ Georgia Aug. 23,24,25,28,29,30 \ Sept. 5,6, 7 \ P Eastern Michigan Sept. 5, 6,7,11,12,13 Vi Mississippi State Sept. 11,12,13,18,19,20 V Arkansas Oct. 2,3,4,9,10,11 Tennessee Oct. 9,10,11,23,24, 25 Monday Sept. 4 Labor Day - No Classes . 16,17 Fall Break - No Classes - Date Coupon Book Sales - Aug 23,24,25,28, 29,30 ^ = L.01JJER LEVEL | E SEC ROW 5EXt % 30 E9 1 Z iftliT QC TWS ftilg Block Seating Schedule New Mexico State & Georgia Aug. 23,24,25,28,29,30 Eastern Michigan & Mississippi State Sept;5,6, 7,11,12,13 1 m .. IBMN HM Arkansas & Tennessee Oct. 2,3,4,9] 10,11 ■ For more complete information about student tickets; pick up a copy of the I Student Football Information Book at the Russell House lobby Information Desk. r Student Tickets will be distributed at the Russell House, room 205 9am - 4pmI Students are not guaranteed a student ticket to each gatfie, only , Handicapped or disabled students, can get assistance by calling the right to a ticket as long as student tickets are available. 7 77-6742.