Professional women's volleyball debuts in Utah tonight with the expansion Predators playing host to the Sacramento Stars in a National Volleyball Association tilt at Hunter High (4200 So. 5600 West).
The inaugural match, set to begin at 7 p.m., will feature seven national team players and several familiar faces."I think people will see how exciting it is and it will take off," said KUTV news anchor Mary Nickles, a member of the Predators.
She is joined on the Utah roster by Natalie Williams, Danielle Scott, Kristen Klein and Elaine Roque - all of the U.S. national team - as well as local products Mikki Kane-Barton, Carla Gee, Michele Nekota, Annette Ewasek, Linda Byington and Cheryl Tye.
Saturday's match will bring the team together for the first time. Coach Annette Cottle's practices have not included national team members, who will fly in only for games.
"I think we'll mesh fine," said the former Utah State coach and national team member. "I'm really excited to see this. It's great for the state of Utah. It gives us a chance to showcase our local talent. (National team participation) is going to help our volleyball programs grow at the grassroots level."
And speaking of grassroots, the Predators are the lone expansion team in the five-team UVA - the nation's lone women's professional sports circuit. San Diego is the defending champion, while franchises from San Jose, Sacramento and Orange County are back for second seasons.
National team members, hoping to improve on the U.S.'s bronze-medal finish in the 1992 Olympics, dot the roster of every team in the league. Three spikers (Elaine Oden, Angie Miller and Tara Cross-Battle) will do battle against the Predators tonight.
PREDATOR POINTS: Utah opens its season with consecutive home matches. Next Saturday, the Predators entertain San Jose . . . The UVA plays a 10-match season with two rounds of playoffs (semifinals, finals). The league championship will be determined in March . . . Individual game tickets are available at the door or at any SmithTix locations.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Utah Predators 1994-95 schedule
Nov. 26 SACRAMENTO
Dec. 3 SAN JOSE
Dec. 10 at Sacramento
Dec. 11 at San Jose
Jan. 7 ORANGE COUNTY
Jan. 21 SACRAMENTO
Jan. 28 at Orange County
Feb. 4 SAN DIEGO
Feb. 18 at San Diego
Feb. 19 at Orange County
Feb. 25 NVA semifinals
Mar. 4 NVA finals
(Home games are at Hunter High)