ISU To Play In Prestigious Runza/AVCA Showcase

AMES, Iowa - The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced Thursday that Iowa State has been selected to participate in the 2010 Runza/AVCA College Showcase Aug. 28-29 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.

"We are thrilled to be invited to this prestigious event," Iowa State head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch said. "Playing in the AVCA Showcase affirms our place among the premier volleyball programs in the country.

"Playing at the Qwest Center, one of the best volleyball venues in the country, against quality opponents in Florida and Kentucky is incredibly exciting for our team, especially the five Nebraska student-athletes on our roster."

The Cyclones join Nebraska, Florida and Kentucky in four Big 12/SEC matches.

Iowa State will face Florida, which finished last season ranked No. 15 with a 25-6 record, Saturday, Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. On Sunday, ISU takes on Kentucky, which finished No. 12 with a 29-5 mark, at 2 p.m.

The Cyclones return all but one starter from last year's team, who finished the season 27-5 overall and ranked No. 6 in the AVCA Coaches Poll.

Qwest Center Omaha will host its fourth consecutive, and fifth overall, Showcase in 2010. The venue, which played host to an NCAA-record crowd of 17,430 during the 2008 national semifinals, has also hosted the four highest-attended Showcase sessions in the event's 15 years.

Information for purchasing tickets for the 2010 Runza/AVCA College Volleyball Showcase will be released at a later date.

Team Capsules (Courtesy AVCA)
Iowa State
Iowa State reached new heights under head coach Christy Johnson-Lynch in 2009, climbing to No. 5 in the AVCA poll, its highest ranking ever, and setting NCAA-era team records for both wins (27) and conference wins (17). The Cyclones finished second in the Big 12, their best conference finish since tying for second in the Big Eight in 1995. Iowa State, who will be participating in its first Showcase, returns AVCA All-Americans Victoria Henson and Ashley Mass to the court this season.

Nebraska
In 2009, Nebraska advanced to the NCAA Tournament Regional Finals for the sixth consecutive year, and ninth time in head coach John Cook's ten seasons. The 2010 Huskers return AVCA All-Americans Sydney Anderson, Brooke Delano and Tara Mueller, and welcome 2009 AVCA Division I National Freshman of the Year, Lauren Cook, who transferred to Nebraska from UCLA in January. Nebraska will be participating in its ninth Showcase.

Florida
Since head coach Mary Wise arrived on the scene in Gainesville in 1991, Florida has won at least a share of 18 of the last 19 SEC regular season championships, and has been ranked in the top 10 of the AVCA poll in each of her 19 seasons. The Gators, who finished third in the conference in 2009, return to the fold two-time AVCA All-American Kelly Murphy. This will be Florida's fifth Showcase appearance, the last coming in 2003.

Kentucky
Kentucky has experienced a re-birth under head coach Craig Skinner, who has led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament in each of his five seasons in Lexington, including their advancement to the round of 16 last year for the first time since 1993. The Wildcats also ascended to No. 7 in the AVCA poll last season, their highest ranking since 1993, and won the SEC Eastern Division, finishing second overall in the conference for the second consecutive season. Kentucky will be participating in its first Showcase.

ISU To Play In Prestigious Runza/AVCA Showcase

Players Mentioned

Victoria Henson

Victoria Henson

Ashley Mass

Ashley Mass

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Iowa State University Athletics

ISU To Play In Prestigious Runza/AVCA Showcase

Players Mentioned

Victoria Henson

Victoria Henson

Ashley Mass

Ashley Mass

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