August 5, 2004
WASHINGTON, D.C. ? The Georgetown University women?s volleyball team has been picked to finish seventh in the BIG EAST for the 2004 season. The Hoyas gathered 42 points among voting of the league?s coaches to secure seventh place, behind Notre Dame (99), Pittsburgh (90), Connecticut (78), St. John?s (70), Villanova (57), and Boston College (50). Rutgers (40), Syracuse (38), Seton Hall (20), and West Virginia (17) ranked 8th-11th, respectively. Senior Sara Albert (Davis, Calif./Davis) was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
The Hoyas will be lead by senior middle blockers Albert and Margaret Vernon (Denver, Colo./Ken Denver School). Albert led the 2003 squad in hitting percentage (.356), blocking (115 total blocks, 37 solo), and aces (12). She was second in kills (313). Albert ranked second in the BIG EAST for hitting percentage, fourth in service aces per game, and fifth in blocks. Albert was also All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention in 2003 and 2002, as well as being named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year in 2001. Vernon led the Hoyas in assists with 702, averaging 9.36 per game. She also had 31 kills and 25 aces.
Junior outside hitters Rachel Nelson (Sacramento, Calif./Saint Francis) and Ashley Lancaster (Huntsville, Ala./Huntsville) will also be an asset for the Hoyas. Nelson led the 2003 team in kills with 337. She was second in digs (257) and third in aces (25). Lancaster had a solid sophomore year with 252 kills, 133 digs, 20 blocks, 18 aces, 16 assists and four double-doubles. Sophomore middle blocker Annie Conner (Los Altos, Calif./St. Francis) will also have an impact as she played into a starting role by the end of the 2003 season. She had 160 kills, 66 blocks, 62 digs, and 23 aces.
Georgetown posted a 9-19 overall record last season and a 3-9 mark in the BIG EAST. The team begins its 2004 season on September 3 against Southern Illinois in New Orleans, Louisiana.
