BATON ROUGE — The LSU volleyball team began practice on the newly refurbished Pete Maravich Assembly Center court on Wednesday with just a week and a half until the start of the 2003 season.
The Tigers open play at home a week from Friday in the Tiger Classic tournament. LSU hosts Centenary at 12:30 p.m. and Virginia at 7 p.m. on Aug. 29 before closing out the two-day tournament against UAB on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Just five matches into the season, LSU will face off against Nebraska, ranked No. 7 in the USA Today/AVCA national poll, in the Sugar Bowl Classic. The Cornhuskers were a 2002 NCAA Regional Finalist last season. The Tigers toughest pre-conference challenge will come at the Wildcat Classic tournament where LSU will take on No. 15 Kansas State, Colorado State, which is receiving votes in the USA Today/AVCA poll, and 2002 NCAA Tournament participant South Florida.
A non-conference match home against No. 2 Hawaii is the Tiger’s only break from SEC play the remainder of the season. The Wahine participated in the NCAA Final Four last season.
The SEC schedule proves to be a tough one for the LSU as the Tigers go on the road against No. 3 Florida, also a 2002 NCAA Final Four participant. LSU will also play a pair of matches against Arkansas and South Carolina, both of which are receiving votes in the USA Today/AVCA poll.
Despite returning only six players from last season, the Tigers’ dedication to the team concept more than compensates for their lack of experience. With the addition of eight talented freshmen, LSU will be a young, hungry team this season. Their commitment and selflessness will make the Tigers an exciting team to watch and help them once again battle for the Southeastern Conference Western Division title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The PMAC court was completely refurbished and repainted in 10 days and was completed on Tuesday. It emphasizes the LSU purple on the outside of the court with the new athletics logo in the center. The free throw lanes are painted gold featuring the SEC lettering. The new court layout was designed by the LSU Athletics Department Publications staff.