Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Heads To Sunshine State This Weekend
9/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 10, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. - Coming off a sweep of the Chicago Challenge at Illinois-Chicago, the Wildcats -- led by All-America candidate Erika Lange (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) -- will travel to Miami this weekend, Sept. 5-6, to compete at the Orange and Green Challenge. Northwestern (4-2) will face two teams that participated in the 2002 NCAA Tournament, George Mason (3-4) and host Miami (5-2). Ivy League member Columbia (0-0) rounds out the field.
"Last weekend helped get us in system and refocused," said head coach Keylor Chan. "We'll have to raise the bar of competition this weekend in Miami, as this tournament is going to be another test for our program, much like our opening weekend at Georgia Tech."
Leading the Wildcat offense is senior middle blocker Lange. She has recorded a team-high 93 kills, 26 total blocks and hitting percentage of .434. Backing up Lange, are juniors Drew Robertson (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach Poly) and Jill Buschur (New Bremen, Ohio/New Bremen). As the setter, Robertson runs the NU offense. After recording a Northwestern single-season record in assists in 2002, she has picked up where she left off with 268 this season. Outside hitter Buschur is also an offensive force for the 'Cats, as she has tallied 81 kills, 33 digs, 13 aces and has a hitting percentage of .327 this season.
Senior libero Erica Knavel (Elm Grove, Wis./Brookfield East) is the backbone to the Northwestern defense and leads the Wildcats in digs with 55. Backing up Knavel on defense are Lizzie Carlson (Palo Alto, Calif./Palo Alto) and Christie Gardner (West Bend, Wis./West Bend East). Carlson has recorded 52 digs this season, while Gardner is one dig behind with 51.
The first test for Northwestern at the Orange and Green Challenge will be George Mason. The Wildcats and the Patriots have met a only once in the history of the two schools. NU leads the series, with its last victory coming on Sept. 4, 1987, when the 'Cats won 3-0.
"George Mason is an NCAA Tournament team from a year ago and returns Aline Pereira, who led the nation in kills per game," said Chan. "Like any team who makes the post-season, they have big game experience that gives them an advantage."
George Mason is led by senior outside hitter Aline Pereira, who has notched 162 kills, 12 service aces, 63 digs and hit .265. Setter Jesica Umansky runs the Patriot offense and has tallied 259 assists and 53 digs in 2003. Sophomore Lindsay Angelo will also be a threat offensively and defensively, as she has recorded 17 total blocks, eight service aces and a .320 hitting percentage.
The Wildcats will meet host Miami in their second match of the tournament. The Hurricanes were the Cinderella team in the NCAA tournament in 2002, but are loaded again this year. This will be the first meeting between the two teams.
"Miami was the Cinderella team a year ago and is already off to a fast start," said Chan. "We did get to compete against them in the spring, so we're somewhat familiar with their system, but it's a new season and they have the home-court advantage, so we'll have to be focused with every point"
The leader of the 'Canes is junior outside hitter Valeria Tipiana. Tipiana is an offensive and defensive threat for Miami, as she has recorded 112 kills, 61 digs, 17 total blocks, 13 service aces and a hitting percentage of .340 this season. Elizabeth Tyson is another Hurricane leader. She has 76 kills, 63 digs, 11 total blocks and six service aces. Setter Margie Young runs the offense and has 198 assists, 33 digs and 11 service aces for Miami.
In their final match of the tournament, the Wildcats will take on Ivy League opponent Columbia. Columbia, with the hiring of Monica Holmes, is under new leadership this season and will be a tough opponent for its competition.
"The Miami tournament will be Columbia's first competition of 2003, so they are virtually unknown to this point," said Chan. "Over the past few years they have gotten some impressive recruits, so we expect a competitive and physical match."
The Lions have yet to play a match in 2003, but are an experienced team with three seniors and four juniors playing for them. Last season, Columbia finished the season with a record of 10-17.
