FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8-21-00

This Week In Armstrong Atlantic State Athletics

Monday, August 28
No Events Scheduled

Tuesday, August 29
No Events Scheduled

Wednesday, August 30
No Events Scheduled

Thursday, August 31
No Events Scheduled

Friday, September 1
• Volleyball at GVSU Americhost Invitational (Allendale, Mich.)
vs. Saginaw Valley State, 2 p.m.
at Grand Valley State, 7 p.m.
• Women's Cross Country at Georgia Southern Twilight (Statesboro, Ga.)

Saturday, September 2
• Volleyball at GVSU Americhost Invitational (Allendale, Mich.)
vs. Minnesota State-Mankato, 10:00 a.m.
vs. Lake Superior State, 2:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 3
No Events Scheduled

Volleyball

AASU volleyball opened the season by capturing the Mesa State Coca-Cola Invitational in Grand Junction, Colo., over the weekend, winning all four of its matches.

The Pirates knocked off No. 22-ranked Western State, 3-2, as sophomore Erin Melius notched a school-record 67 assists in AASU's first-ever win over a team ranked in the AVCA Division II Top 25. AASU followed up the performance with a 3-0 win over UC Davis and 3-1 wins over host Mesa State and Cal State Chico.

Senior Colleen Fitzsimons was named the tournament's MVP while junior Kris Bringewatt also earned all-tournament honors.

AASU returns to action this weekend in Allendale, Mich., at the Grand Valley State Americhost Invitational on Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2. AASU will face Saginaw Valley State and Grand Valley State on Friday and Minnesota State Mankato and Lake Superior State on Saturday.

Cross Country

The 2000 AASU women's cross country squad opens its season at the Georgia Southern Twilight on Friday, September 1 in Statesboro, Ga. Head coach Bridget Cobb and assistant coach Julie Wimer have four returning runners from last season's team that finished in third place in the Peach Belt Conference championships.

Leading the way for the Pirates in 2000 will be senior Nikki Garland, a three-time All-Peach Belt Conference and All-Southeast Region runner. Garland is joined by PBC Freshman of the Year Jillian Charles, senior Amanda Lagesse and senior Marie-Claude Ostiguy as returnees from last season.

Three newcomers will join the AASU cross country squad this season – freshman Sarah Harris (Evans, Ga.) and two members of the Lady Pirate tennis team, sophomore Michaela Kratochvilova and freshman Zsofi Golopencza.

- Pirates -