Florida Volleyball Notebook - June 30
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 | Volleyball
It will be a battle of former Florida Gator volleyball players tonight in Miami at the 2009 Women's Volleyball Pan American Cup, hosted by the University of Miami at its BankUnited Center. The United States will square off with Puerto Rico with match time slated for 8 p.m. EST.
Both the U.S. and Puerto Rico enter tonight's match with a 4-0 record.
The United States roster features former Gator Jane Collymore (Seattle), who posted a match-high-tying nine points in a win against Guatemala on Saturday night. The Puerto Rico roster features former Gator Aury Cruz (Levittown, Puerto Rico), a three-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, who currently is leading all players in the Pan Am Cup with 59 total points scored.
Both Collymore and Cruz were members of Florida's 2003 NCAA runner-up team.
Additionally, the Puerto Rico roster features several other faces familiar to Florida fans. Former Georgia standout Alexandra Oquendo and current FIU senior Yarimar Rosa, the 2008 Sun Belt Player of the Year, hold spots on the Puerto Rico roster.
The winner of tonight's key match-up – the final day of pool play – will automatically advance to the tournament's second round and have two days to prepare. July 1 is an off day for all teams, while pool winners receive a bye on July 2.
A Pan American Cup tournament pass, good for all matches at both venues, is $75 for adults and $60 for children. Tickets for each date of competition at the specific venue (either University of Miami or Florida International University) are $20 for reserved general admission, $12 for adult general admission and $10 for child general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at www.miamisports.org.
After the preliminary pool round, the Pan American Cup quarterfinal and classification matches are set for July 2, followed by semifinal matches and additional classification matches on July 3. The championship match and final classification round matches are scheduled for July 4. All non-pool matches will be played at University of Miami. Classification round matches will be played on July 2 at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. (all ET). Matches on July 3 and final classification matches on July 4 will be played at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. (all ET).
The Women's Pan American Cup is a qualifying tournament into the 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix and the 2009 Women's Final Four. The top three NORCECA teams and top team from South America receive berths into next year's FIVB World Grand Prix. The top two teams from NORCECA, Brazil and the top remaining team from South America qualify for the Final Four to be hosted by Brazil.
The University of Florida is home of the 2009 NCAA Volleyball Regionals. For more information on Gator Volleyball, log on to www.GatorZone.com.
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