Volleyball Plans Trip to Brazil

April 1, 2005

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

The University of Kansas volleyball team will make its first-ever international tour in 2005 when it travels to Brazil May 23- June 1. The Jayhawks’ 10-day itinerary will include at least four matches with club teams, training, community service and of course, sightseeing.

The group will split time between the cities of Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo and travel in between by bus along the coast. Included in the travel party of approximately 28 are 15 student-athletes, including the 2004 seniors, coaching and support staff and KUAC administrators.

Three Jayhawks will also get the opportunity to visit their native country — Josi Lima (Sao Paulo), Paula Caten (Canarana) and Jana Correa (Macapa). KU is scheduled to play 19-and-under club teams including Pinheiros, the Flamingo Club and University of Sant’Anna — the alma mater of Lima and Correa.

“A foreign trip is important to the student-athlete experience here at Kansas,” head coach Ray Bechard said. “Not only will the team benefit from the competition, performance and training, but will also get an important cultural and educational experience as well.”

KU will open preseason competition April 9 at Horejsi Family Athletics Center with a spring scrimmage against teams such as UMKC and Nebraska-Omaha. The Jayhawks have also planned spring scrimmages against North Carolina and Alabama in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Log on to kuathletics.com for a trip diary, photos and video clips of the Jayhawks’ Brazilian tour.

– KU –