Volleyball trip to Italy a success

June 23, 2008

The UST volleyball team had successful European trip in June. The Tommies played twice and won both matches during the 10-day excursion. Coach Thanh Pham said the competition was fun and fair against two Italian Club teams.

Pham said highlights of the trip included a visit to see Pope Benedict, visiting the statue of David, taking gondola rides in the canals of Venice, and long walks around Rome. The trip allowed the players and parents who attended a chance for some valuable team bonding.

UST claimed match one against Pieve a Nievole by scores of 25-17, 23-25, 25-12. 

Pham said the Tommies' second match against Borgo a Buggianoby was much more competitive against a very talented team. "Game one was amazing," Pham said. "The Tommies pulled out a 30-28 win after a big kill by Katie McCaffrey. Game two was dominated by the Italians by a 25-12 score. The third and final game was a see-saw battle with the score being tied at 10-10 then the Tommies pulled away after big digs by captain Katie Kremer and won the deciding game 25-19."

This was the first international trip for Tommie volleyball in the program history. The NCAA allows collegiate teams one international trip every four years.

St. Thomas starts fall parctice in mid-August. The Tommies return several top players from a 28-5 team that just missed a trip to the NCAA playoff quarterfinals and were ranked 11th nationally in the finally poll. UST lost a 15-13 decision in the deciding game of the regional final to UW-Whitewater. The Warhawks later lost a 15-13 score in game five to Washington (Mo.) in the Division III championship match. The Tommies went 14-0 vs. MIAC teams last season.

In 2008, UST will travel to regular-season tournaments in LaCrosse, Des Moines and San Antonio and host the Minnesota-Iowa Border Battle. The San Antonio trip will include matches against Division III powers Trinity (Tex.) and Carthage.