Lady'Backs host scrimmage

FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas volleyball team opens the 2004 season with an alumni scrimmage Saturday at 1:30 p.m., in Barnhill Arena. The Lady Razorbacks return three all-Southeastern Conference players from a 27-7, NCAA second round team a year ago and have added six newcomers. The coaching staff is anxious to put the team on the floor and see how far they’ve come. "We have a lot of new faces and a lot of enthusiasm," said associate head coach Holly Watts. "We are getting ready for a great pre-conference schedule that will give ourselves an opportunity to get some wins early in the season that will make a difference later in the year." Lone senior all-conference middle Jennifer Haaser guides the team again this year. She is joined by SEC Co-Freshman of the Year Denitza Koleva and SEC all-Freshman team selection Kele Brewer. "We know what our all-conference players can do," said Watts. "This scrimmage is a chance for us to see some of our newcomers in game situations. We’ve added a lot of ball control to the lineup and that’s a different look for us as well." The Lady Razorbacks’ new faces include a pair of Arkansasans in Jonesboro’s Ashley Wiechman and Russellville’s Kelli Cole. Harrison, Ark., junior Chelsey Warmack rounds out the largest Natural State contingent the team has ever had. Returning for the Lady’Back alumn is first-ever American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American Jessica (Field) Phelan. She is joined by a pair of honorable mention all-Americans in Sara Kincaid and Roberta Tarnauskaite. Also competing for the alumni is all-conference players Michelle Coens, Anna (Velikanova) Vester and Jenny (Rangelova) Kirk. Admission to the scrimmage is free. For more information about Arkansas volleyball, log on to www.ladybacks.com or call the Lady Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK.