Sept. 2, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. - No trip to Florida? No problem.
The Northwestern volleyball team will still begin its season this weekend by welcoming Bowling Green, Florida and IPFW to Evanston for the NU Labor Day Invite this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 4-5, at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
With Hurricane Frances bearing down on the coast of Florida, the Gators were forced to cancel their Campus USA Credit Union Invitational Tournament, which would have featured Northwestern, TCU and Miami (Ohio).
Nevertheless, NU coaches and staff have scrambled over the past 24 hours to make it possible for all schools involved to start their seasons this weekend.
Florida comes to Evanston after finishing the 2003 season at 36-2, with both losses coming at the hands of USC, including a 3-1 loss in the NCAA championship match last December.
IPFW is coming off a 20-11 season and returns five of its six starters.
Bowling Green welcomes back six players from the 2003 squad, as well as six newcomers, who will all work to improve on the Falcons' 12-19 record from a year ago.
The NU Labor Day Invite will be free of charge to the public.
Tournament Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 4
Florida vs. Bowling Green - 3 p.m.
Northwestern vs. IPFW - 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 5
Northwestern vs. Bowling Green - 10 a.m.
Florida vs. IPFW - Noon
IPFW vs. Bowling Green - 5 p.m.
Florida vs. Northwestern - 7 p.m.