Aug. 31, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern opens the 2004 season on the road at the Campus USA Credit Union Invite, which will be played in Gainesville, Fla. on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 3-4.
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The Wildcats return four starters from the 2003 squad, which posted NU's best record in six years (18-15), while also earning a second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. Co-captains Drew Robertson (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly) and Christie Gardner (West Bend, Wis./West Bend East) lead the way for the 'Cats. Robertson returns for her fourth year as the starting setter to lead a new-look offense, and Gardner will be a key outside hitter for the 'Cats.
NU will get its first taste of competition against TCU in the first match of the tournament Friday at 10 a.m. ET. The Horned Frogs are coming off their best season in school history after head coach Prentice Lewis guided them to a program-high 20 wins in just her second year at the helm. The Frogs come into the match after already having the opportunity to knock off some early-season rust against an unfamiliar opponent. On Aug. 28, they opened the season with their annual alumni match. In the match, the varsity team dominated the retired veterans, sweeping the older Frogs in three games. The 2004 squad features seven newcomers and six letterwinners.
Friday afternoon, the 'Cats will play their second match of the tournament against Miami (Ohio). While the Red Hawks had a less-than-stellar 11-22 record in 2003, they return an experienced team of seven starters and eight letterwinners. Seniors Tara Buroker and Angie Zent will lead Miami (Ohio) this year as the team looks to improve on its sixth-place conference finish in 2003.
The 'Cats will wrap up the tournament by taking on the host team - University of Florida Gators - Saturday afternoon. Florida is coming off its finest season in school history in which the Gators advanced to the NCAA Championship match, won their 13th straight Southeastern Conference title, and ended the season with a 36-2 record. Florida returns senior All-America middle blocker Sherri Williams, senior All-SEC setter Lauren Moscovic, and junior All-SEC outside hitter Jane Collymore in addition to six other letterwinners.