RAMS EARN REGIONAL RANKING
11-2-05

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University is listed among the region’s top volleyball programs, picking up the 15th spot in the AVCA Division I Regional Poll this week.  The Rams are currently 16-10 overall and a school-record 8-6 against Colonial Athletic Association competition.  This is also VCU’s first regional ranking since joining the CAA during the 1995-96 season.

“I am really excited about the recognition the team is receiving after working so hard this season,” commented first-year head coach James Finley.  “They have invested to much time and effort into the program – I’m really proud of all of their hard work.”

The Rams went 2-1 last week, rolling over non-conference opponent Liberty, 3-0 and outlasting CAA-newcomer Northeastern, 3-2, before dropping a narrow 3-2 decision to league-leading Hofstra.  Junior Melissa Peterson (Ganado, Ariz./Arizona Western College) hit .500 in the three matches last week, including a school-record .944 performance against Liberty. With 17 kills on 18 attempts and no errors, Peterson now ranks second in NCAA history in single-match attack percentage for players with 15-19 attempts.