In Brief

Women’s soccer

The VCU women’s soccer team suffered a loss at the feet of Virginia Tech’s freshman Emily Jukich last Saturday. She put her point on the board during the 71st minute, when the ball got loose from Leigh Anthony (Fredericksburg/W.T. Woodson H.S.).

The game ran relatively evenly while Tech slightly outnumbered VCU with 11-13 shots and each team managed four shots on goal. Tech’s Mary Elizabeth Newton shot an impressive five shots during the game, and the Rams fouled up considerably more than Virginia Tech, with 10-6 fouls.

Volleyball

The volleyball team, 2005 CAA champions, held a scrimmage match Sunday night, in order to tweak performance and brush up on positions. The black and gold teams were arranged in such a way that the scores between the two remained close and competitive all throughout the practice game.

The teammates appear to share a sense of unity and have a good connection with Coach James Finley. Finley, a first-year coach, was very involved, and after each play, the players would turn their heads to meet eyes with him, waiting for his approving nods, or instructions on how to improve their game.

Senior outside hitter Ludmila Francescatto (Fraiburga, Brazil) was the first team All-CAA last fall and the MVP of the CAA Tournament in 2005; she will return to lead the Rams again

this year.

Also returning as an outside hitter, sophomore Ana Luiza Bernardes de Borja (Florianopolis, Brazil) will be playing alongside of Senior middle blocker Melissa Peterson (Ganado, Arizona).

VCU’s volleyball team will be opening the 2006 season at the Duke Invitational in Durham, North Carolina, on August 25 and 26.

– Compiled from CT resources