Aug. 30, 2000

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Wake Forest volleyball team will once again host the Deacon Invitational at Reynolds Gym September 1 and 2. The Deacs will open the 2000 season with a 7:00 pm match against UNC Charlotte on Friday, September 1 and will face Campbell and Northern Arizona on Saturday at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm, respectively.

The Deacons are coming off one of their best seasons in school history in 1999, posting a 25-9 overall record and a 10-6 mark in the ACC. Wake also advanced to the second round of the ACC Tournament for the first time ever.

Led by first-year head coach Valorie Baker, the 2000 Wake Forest squad is ranked No. 3 in the preseason conference poll. Wake Forest returns three starters from last season's team and Baker, who served as a WFU assistant has added five strong newcomers to the roster. The 49ers compiled a 13-17 overall record a season ago and placed seventh in Conference USA standings.

The Deacons will go up against a taxing group of opponents this season. Wake's schedule features matches with nationally ranked Florida and Pepperdine squads, as well as games with traditional ACC rivals. In addition, Wake Forest and Reynolds Gym will serve as hosts for the 2000 ACC Volleyball Tournament.

"We have a challenging schedule ahead of us. Not only is our league gaining in strength, but we're also going to challenge several teams who consistently rank in the top 10," Baker said.