If the 1997 ACC volleyball season was a roller coaster, then the Georgia Tech volleyball team would be on an incline. The Lady Jackets seem to have pulled out of a downward spiral that left their record 8-11, 1-3 in the ACC and a longshot for an NCAA Tournament berth. Over the weekend, the Jackets picked up two huge ACC road victories and improved their ACC record to 3-3.
Friday night, a well-rested Tech team took care of N.C. State, three games to none. The win was Tech's most dominating match yet. Four Jackets reached double figures in kills, and sophomore Carolyn Clevenger racked up 56 assists.
Saturday night, the Jackets faced UNC, then second place in the ACC. Tech won the kind of match that it is used to winning, a hard-fought five game contest. After falling beind two games to one, the Jackets took control and won the final two games 15-8 and 15-12. Junior Carla Gartner lead the way with 18 kills, followed closely by seniors Lynnette Anderson-Opp and Chelle Komula with 16 kills each. Clevenger notched 66 assists.
"We got it turned around," says Coach Shelton Collier. "We played our best two matches of the season and are back on track!"
On Friday, the Jackets begin their most important stretch of the season. Tech will face five straight ACC opponents at home over a ten day period. "If we can win all five matches," says Coach Collier, "then we're right back in the hunt for the ACC title."
Tech opens up this homestand in a big way, taking on first-place Maryland. According to Coach Collier, "The team feels like we can beat Maryland. Our hitters are coming around, and the other teams in the ACC are now very concerned that Georgia Tech is back."
The Maryland match begins at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night and is
being taped for television. Friday night is also Greek Night at O'Keefe Gymnasium, where fraternities and sororities with the top turnouts will win prizes.
Tech hosts conference opponent Virginia at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night. There is no home football game this week, so come out and support the Lady Yellow Jackets!
