Aug. 25, 2011

By Dan Ryan
BCUAthletics.com

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Hurricane Irene has turned the Bethune-Cookman University volleyball team's opening weekend into a logistical whirlwind.

With Hampton University canceling the Tiny Laster Memorial Volleyball Tournament in anticipation of inclement weather resulting from Hurricane Irene, several of the participating teams got together and will play a series of matches at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.

So instead of flying to Virginia, the Lady Wildcats spent Thursday riding a bus to South Carolina. Instead of Maryland Eastern Shore, Isaac Raphael'sdebut as B-CU Head Coach will come against Savannah State at 3 p.m. B-CU will then face host The Citadel at 5 p.m.

"You can't fight Mother Nature," Raphael said. "I'm just happy that everything worked out and we'll have the opportunity to compete."

The Lady Wildcats will be shorthanded this weekend and will dress only nine players. Among those sitting out will be Kat Agson, who suffered an injury during preseason training.

"What we'll need is a lot of heart," Raphael said. "That's what I'll be looking for."

Visit www.B-CUathletics.com Friday evening for a complete wrap-up of Friday's matches