FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-13-00

This Week In Armstrong Atlantic State Athletics

Monday, November 20
No Events Scheduled

Tuesday, November 21
• Men's Basketball at Valdosta State, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 22
No Events Scheduled

Thursday, November 23
No Events Scheduled – Happy Thanksgiving !

Friday, November 24
• Men's Basketball vs. Clark Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
• Women's Basketball at Catawba/All Sport Classic (Salisbury, N.C.)
AASU vs. Catawba, 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 25
• Women's Basketball at Catawba/All Sport Classic (Salisbury, N.C.)
AASU vs. Livingstone, 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 26
No Events Scheduled

Volleyball (29-10, 12-2 Peach Belt, No. 24 AVCA Division II Top 25)

The No. 24-ranked Armstrong Atlantic State volleyball team advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division II South Region, defeating USC Spartanburg, 3-1, but fell to North Florida, 3-0, ending the Pirates' season.

AASU's first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament started out successfully as 2000 PBC Player of the Year Sarah Haynes led the Pirates to a 15-10, 15-5, 8-15, 15-10 win over USC Spartanburg in the opening round of the NCAA South Region. Haynes recorded a career-high 23 kills and hit .439 against the Rifles. Sophomore Sofie Hakansson added 18 kills and hit .359 and sophomore Erin Melius tied her own school record by recording 67 assists.

The win gave the Pirates, the No. 3 seed, a date with No. 2 seed North Florida for a chance to advance to the region finals. North Florida, however, dominated the Pirates in the fourth meeting between the two schools this year, winning 15-6, 15-12, 15-9.

Head coach Alan Segal and the Pirates lose just two seniors from this season's squad and accomplished several firsts this season, including the school's first-ever national ranking, first-ever wins over ranked opponents and the Pirates' first-ever NCAA postseason appearance.

Men's Basketball (2-2 Overall)

The AASU men's basketball team defeated Claflin, 68-48, in the Pirates' home opener on Saturday evening, bringing its record to 2-2.

AASU took a seven-point lead into halftime against the Panthers, 34-27, but Claflin fought back to tie the game at 40-all in the second half. The Pirates responded with a 20-4 run over the next eight minutes to close out the victory.

Senior Robert Campbell scored 13 points and recorded nine assists and five steals for the Pirates. Senior Greg Favors and junior David Koncul chipped in 15 points apiece as AASU improved to 7-2 in its home openers under head coach Griff Mills

This week, AASU travels to Valdosta State on Tuesday, Nov. 21, for a 7:30 p.m. matchup with the Blazers, then the Pirates return home to host Clark Atlanta on Friday, Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Women's Basketball (1-1 Overall)

The AASU women's basketball team opened its inaugural season under head coach Roger Hodge by hosting the 2000 Chatham Orthopaedic/Days Inn Oglethorpe TipOff Classic over the weekend. The Lady Pirates won their first game over Mount Olive, 81-68, but lost to Northern Michigan in the championship game, 80-64.

Sophomore forward Zandrique Cason recorded a double-double in her Lady Pirate debut

with 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Pirates past Mount Olive in the opening game of the Classic. Cason led four AASU players in double figures as the Lady Pirates shot 58 percent from the field. Sophomore Marloes Renskers added 12 points and junior Lexie Martin added 11 points.

In the championship game, the Lady Pirates faced a powerful Northern Michigan squad that was ranked No. 13 in NCAA Division II at the conclusion of last season. The Wildcats sprinted out to a 49-31 halftime lead and cruised to the victory. Cason again led the Lady Pirates with 17 points and 14 rebounds while senior Michelle Hubbard added 17 points. Cason and Lexie Martin were named to the All-Tournament Team.

This week, the Lady Pirates travel to Salisbury, N.C., to compete at the Catawba All Sport Classic on Fri., Nov. 24 and Sat., Nov. 25. AASU faces Catawba at 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Livingstone at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

- Pirates -