Aug. 7, 2008

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

First year head coach Carrie Yerty and the University of Wyoming Cowgirl volleyball team will hold their first practice of the 2008 pre-season on Saturday, August 9 beginning at 8:30 a.m., in the UniWyo Sports Complex.

Yerty welcomes back two starters and eight letterwinners to this year's squad that finished 12-14 overall and 6-10 in the Mountain West Conference a year ago. The squad consists of three seniors, one junior, five sophomores and three freshmen.

"Our staff is really looking forward to getting into the gym with a full volleyball roster," said Yerty. "We have planned a great pre-season. We will focus on team bonding, building volleyball IQ, instilling a competitive attitude in everything we do and building new relationships."

The Cowgirls' first practice will begin on Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., which will be followed by two later in the day. Regular weekday practices during the pre-season will rotate on a three, two or one per day schedule. All practices are open.

The Cowgirls will open up the 2008 volleyball season on the road, Friday and Saturday, August 29-30, as they travel to the state of Oregon for the Corvallis Invitational. That will be followed by another tournament on the road September 4-6 at the Honolulu Advertiser Volleyball Challenge. Wyoming will play their first home matches by hosting the UniWyo Cowgirl Classic, September 12-13, in Laramie. They will host UAB, Cleveland State and Kansas. Mountain West Conference play will begin September 18 as they welcome the BYU Cougars.