March 20, 2008

NEW ORLEANS - The Green Wave volleyball team opens its spring schedule on March 29 against the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge. AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year Liz Kritza and her squad went 28-6 in the fall and will return all 13 players for next season.

"The upcoming season will be a productive one for this program," Krtiza said. "Having all 13 players returning and training together will give us a chance to concentrate on improving our team systems and give our younger players crucial time in the gym to develop individually."

Tulane defeated LSU on November 24 last season, in the final regular season contest for the Wave. Following the spring match-up with the Tigers, Tulane takes on Texas on April 5 and then heads to the Texas Tornadoes College Spring tournament on April 12. The Tornadoes tournament will feature 24 teams, including eight NCAA teams from last season (Kansas State, New Mexico State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, Texas State, Southern California, Wichita State) as well as Arkansas, Baylor, Houston, Louisiana-Lafayette, New Orleans, Notre Dame, Rice, South Florida, SMU, Stephen F. Austin, Texas A&M, TCU, UTEP, UTSA and West Point.

The Green Wave will play host to a home tournament on April 19, with a field featuring UNO, Alabama, Jackson State, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, Southeastern Louisiana and Southern Miss.

Tulane is coming off one of its most successful seasons ever, with 28 wins for just the third time in history. Kritza also won Conference USA and All-Louisiana Coach of the Year honors, while Sara Radosevic earned her third-straight AVCA All-America honorable mention award. Jenn Miller and Bridget Wells also were named AVCA All-America honorable mention, and the trio earned First Team AVCA All-Midwest Region honors. Miller was named Conference USA Libero of the Year and Second Team All-Conference USA, while Ksenija Vlaskovic, Radosevic and Wells were named First Team. Jen Linder also earned second team honors.

"Coming off one of the most successful season in school history, this group of capable young women understands that expectations will be raised and they are primed to meet those expectations," Kritza added. "Our strength and conditioning staff, especially Chris Keenan, plays an integral role in preparing this group physically during this important off-season. They have been working hard with him in the weight room and on the track to take big steps towards a successful 2008 campaign."

The Green Wave received votes in the final AVCA Top 25 poll, ranking 30th.