BALTIMORE, Md. (Sept. 1, 2010)-The Morgan State volleyball team returns to action this weekend (Friday, Sept. 3-Saturday, Sept. 4) when it takes part in the 2010 Battle of Baltimore co-hosted by the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and Morgan State. Friday's action will take place at RAC Arena on the campus of UMBC and Morgan State will serve as host on Saturday with all matches being played at Hill Field House.
This year's tournament field will again feature five teams with UMBC and fellow Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) foe, Coppin State joining Towson, Loyola and Morgan State this year. Navy and Maryland participated in last year's tournament. Coppin State and Morgan State will not face each other in the tournament.
“I'm excited about us all coming together for two years and we have some different teams this year in Coppin State and UMBC,” said Morgan State head coach Ramona Riley-Bozier. “It's a good experience and this year it gives us a chance to play a home match with us hosting the second day. With all the budget and travel cuts at the schools, it's nice to play good caliber teams right in this area. It would be nice to continue and that's what we're hoping for, but some of the teams have other commitments, so we're not sure if there will be a tournament next year.”
The Lady Bears begin action on Friday against Loyola at 3 p.m. and conclude the opening day with a 6 p.m. match against Towson. Day 2 of the tournament shifts to Morgan State with the Lady Bears squaring off against co-host UMBC at 7 p.m. in the final match of the day.
The Lady Bears, who enter the weekend on a three-match losing skid with a 1-3 record, went 1-3 during last year's tournament with their lone win coming at Navy.
“I'm hoping that our performance is better this weekend than last year and I'm hoping for a 3-0 record this year instead of the one win we got last year,” said Bozier. “We played well in the other matches and just didn't get the wins, but I am looking forward to winning the Battle.”
Battle of Baltimore Day 2 Schedule at Morgan State
Match 1: UMBC vs. Towson, 11 a.m.
Match 2: Loyola vs. Coppin State, 1:30 p.m.
Match 3: Towson vs. Loyola, 4 p.m.
Match 4: UMBC vs. Morgan State, 7 p.m.
