Feb. 7, 2003

Wilmington, N.C. - The USC women's volleyball team has been selected by the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) to compete at the ninth annual State Farm Women's Volleyball Classic. The tournament will be held Aug. 22-23 at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in Honolulu. The 2003 field will feature Hawaii, Florida, Kansas State and the 2002 NCAA Champion Women of Troy.

USC notched its fifth national championship and made its 12th consecutive and 20th overall appearance in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. The 2003 Women of Troy will be led by two first team AVCA All-Americans, senior April Ross and junior Emily Adams, in addition to 2002 NCAA Tournament MVP Keao Burdine and All-Pac-10 first team pick Katie Olsovsky. USC returns all six starters from its national championship squad.

Kansas State, ranked 21st at the end of 2002, will have five of its starters returning in 2003. The Wildcats set school records last season by appearing in their seventh consecutive NCAA tournament and making a fifth-straight appearance in the AVCA/USA Today Top 25 final rankings.

Florida, ranked fourth at the end of 2002, returns an experienced team including two All-Americans, senior first team pick Aury Cruz and senior third team selection Benavia Jenkins. Florida losses only one senior from its 2002 Final Four squad.

Hawaii, ranked third at the end of 2002, will return five starters, including three senior All-Americans. First team All-Americans Lily Kahumoku and Kim Willoughby and third team All-American Lauren Duggins will lead the Warriors next year.

"The field for the 2003 State Farm Volleyball Classic is outstanding and should provide excellent competition to begin the collegiate season. State Farm has partnered with NACWAA for nine years in presenting this prestigious event. With Hawaii's fine reputation for hosting quality events coupled with its enthusiastic volleyball fans, it is an ideal location for the 2003 State Farm Women's Volleyball Classic," said NACWAA Executive Director, Jennifer Alley.

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