2004
NCAA Division II Volleyball National Tournament
Team
Capsules
Barry
University (31-1)
Lock
Haven University (28-3)
South
Region Champions
Barry University (31-1) is making its 11th appearance in the tournament
and fifth appearance in the national finals. The Bucs advanced by defeating
Lenoir-Rhyne, Florida Southern and North Florida in the South Region
Tournament. The Bucs are led by the duo of senior outside hitters Fernanda
Brino and Karla Bersano.
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania (28-3) appears for the seventh
time in the tournament and the fifth time in the finals. The Eagles advanced
by defeating North Carolina Central, Lees-McRae, and California (Pa.)
in the Atlantic Region Tournament. The Eagles fly behind sophomore middle
hitter Li Yizhi and freshman outside hitter Inga Kurgonaite.
Players to
Watch: Li Yizhi (5-11, So., MH) 3.99 KPG, .463 attack percentage
ranked second nationally, 1.69 BPG; Inga Kurgonaite ( 6-2, Fr., OH)
2.85 KPG, .271 attack percentage, 1.23 BPG
Northern
Michigan University (24-6)
University
of Minnesota-Duluth (26-4)
Great
Lakes Region Champions
Northern Michigan University (24-6) has made the most appearances of
all the teams in the field, appearing in 13 NCAA Tournaments and reaching
the finals eight times. The Wildcats defeated Hillsdale, top-seed Grand
Valley State and Northwood in the Great Lakes Region Tournament. The
Wildcats are driven by senior middle blocker Aimee Dewitte and junior
outside hitter Andrea Smith.
Players to
Watch: Aimee Dewitte (6-0, Sr., MB) 3.72 KPG, .306 attack
percentage, 3.44 DPG; Andrea Smith (6-0, Jr., MB/OH) 3.39 KPG, .217
attack percentage, .70 BPG
North
Central Region Champions
The University of Minnesota-Duluth (26-4) has appeared in eight NCAA
Tournaments and advanced to the finals for the first time with wins over
St. Cloud State, Nebraska-Omaha, and Concordia-St. Paul in the North
Central Region Tournament. The Bulldogs are led by a pair of seniors
in outside hitter Callie Zwettler and setter Greta Iisakka.
Players to
Watch: Callie Zwettler (5-7, Sr., OH) 4.98 KPG ranked 16th
nationally, .239 attack percentage, 3.38 DPG; Greta IIsakka (5-9,
Sr., S) 13.76 APG ranked 4th nationally
University
of Nebraska-Kearney (39-0)
Cal
State University
San Bernardino (27-3)
Southwest
Region Champions
The University of Nebraska-Kearney (39-0) has appeared in eight NCAA
Tournament and has reached the finals four times. The Antelopes won the
Southwest Region Tournament with wins over Metro State, Eastern New Mexico,
and Fort Hays State. They are led by junior middle hitter Erin Gudmundson
and senior outside hitter Erin Arnold.
California State
University San Bernardino (27-3), in its fifth NCAA Tournament, is
making its second appearance in the finals in as many
years. The Coyotes advanced to the finals with wins over Cal Poly Pomona,
Chaminade, and top-seed UC San Diego in the Pacific Region Tournament.
The Coyotes are led by senior outside hitter Brianna Harris and senior
middle blocker Cathleen Price.
Truman State University (35-0), the champion of the South Central Region,
is making its sixth NCAA Tournament appearance and had reached the finals
three times. The Bulldogs defeated Albany State, Pittsburg State, and
Central Missouri State in the regional. They are led by junior middle
hitter Micaela Walter and senior outside hitter Jessica Sears.
Queens College of
New York (31-5) is making its fourth appearance in the tournament and
advanced to the finals for the second time by defeating
Wilmington, Bryant and Dowling in the Northeast Region Tournament. The
Knights are led by senior middle hitter Anna Bondarenko and senior outside
hitter Masha Mosenzhnik.
