Report date for volleyball
FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas volleyball team officially reported to campus Sunday for the beginning of the 2010 season. Under the direction of third-year head coach Robert Pulliza, the Razorbacks are scheduled to begin their practice sessions Monday morning at Barnhill Arena.
"We have been waiting all summer to get to this point and it’s an exciting moment to have everyone here," Pulliza said. "Our staff and the players are all ready to get to work as we prepare for the start of the season. There is a strong group of returning players mixed with an exciting group of newcomers. I think we have an NCAA Tournament team and the work to get there begins today."
The Razorbacks’ roster features nine returning players from last season’s team which posted the sixth-best league record during Southeastern Conference play. The group of returners includes All-American and 2009 SEC Freshman of the Year Jasmine Norton and 2009 SEC All-Freshman performer Amanda Anderson. Arkansas also welcomes back Phoebe Bautista, Kendall Cleveland, Cassie Clarke, Allison Johnson, Janeliss Torres-Lopez, Mackenzie Rhea and Kelli Stipanovich.
Joining the team for their first season in the Cardinal and White are Alex Fitzmorris, Hayley Koop, Adriana Vazquez, Clarissa Pavey, Brooke Fournier, Charmaine Whitmore and Raymariely Santos. Fitzmorris and Vazquez enrolled at Arkansas during the spring semester and went through offseason workouts with the team. The Razorbacks have no seniors this season.
After three weeks of preseason training, the Razorbacks will begin their season Aug. 27-28 with the Arkansas Invitational at Barnhill Arena. In its Aug. 27 opener, Arkansas will host UMKC with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. The two-day tournament also features the teams from Grambling State and Samford. Including their season-opening event, the Razorbacks have 14 home matches.
Season tickets are available online at ArkansasRazorbacks.com or by calling the UA Ticket Office at 1-800-982-4647. Renewals are $50 per season-ticket package while first-time buyers are eligible for a $29 promotion, which includes a free pizza, courtesy of Pizza Hut.
The Razorbacks will host a meet-and-greet with season-ticket holders next Saturday, Aug. 14 at Barnhill Arena. For more updates, follow Pulliza on Twitter (@RobertPulliza) or log on to the official home of Razorback athletics at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
Download: 2010 Arkansas Volleyball quick facts.pdf
