Oct. 10, 2003

I want to take a few moments to share with you all of the excitement that has been the past five weeks of USF Volleyball. Winning four tournaments in a row and getting out to such a fast start has really provided our team with some of the confidence it will need to get through a tough WCC Schedule. I am so proud of our players! Each of them has really stepped it up to raise the level of the program.

While I am not sure what I expected from this season, I knew it could be a great one. It was very exciting to get out to the 15-0 start and break the record for the best start in WCC history. I know that is not something any of had thought about, but it certainly was a great accomplishment for this team. Many players are reaching milestones of their own: Brittanie has reached the 1000 plus kill mark and should reach 1000 digs this weekend, as well. Teresa Russell eclipsed the 1000 kill mark against LMU last week and should go over 400 blocks this weekend. Caroline Skacel should be turning over the counter with 1000 digs soon. WOW!!! April has climbed into fourth all-time for assists too.

Hopefully many of you got to see T s fantastic article in last weeks SF Chronicle. If not it is attached to our website and is quite a story. This team has garnered a lot of attention and respect in a very short time. I think the national ranking was something the players were very excited about and also maybe a bit surprised! All of this being said, it is time to get back to work and keep things rolling. We have our first home conference games this weekend. Everyone is very excited to finally be at home for a weekend and get to play some very high quality teams in Portland and Gonzaga. The conference is so good that you really have to be ready to go to war every night. This will definitely be an exciting weekend.

There has been so much support and enthusiasm! I want to thank everyone who has stepped up to support this team and USF Athletics. We will continue to work hard to make all of you proud! I hope to see everyone out at one or both of our matches this weekend. Best wishes!

Jeff