TICKETS ON SALE FOR VOLLEYBALL CONTEST BETWEEN USA-RUSSIA

Tickets are on sale for the big exhibition volleyball match in Cape Girardeau between the United States and Russian national women's teams.

The squads will square off in a best-of-five-games match at 7 p.m. April 14 at the Show Me Center. This will be the first time an international volleyball match has been played in this area.

Both teams are using a five-match tour -- Cape Girardeau is the second stop -- to prepare for the World Championships in Japan in November.

"It's not often you have the chance to acquire a national caliber sport in Cape Girardeau," said Show Me Center director David Ross. "A high profile event like this should be an attraction to area high school and club volleyball teams and leagues throughout the region."

Southeast Missouri State University volleyball coach Cindy Gannon said her team's success over the past several years was instrumental in bringing the match to Cape Girardeau. The Otahkians have won five straight Ohio Valley Conference titles.

"We have the facilities and the support to host this event," said Gannon. "Any time you can bring a national team on to your campus, it speaks very highly of the community support. I hope we will have a large turnout for the match."

Tickets are available at the Show Me Center box office, the Southeast Missouri State athletic office and at the following ticket outlets: Schnucks in Cape Girardeau and Disk Jockey Records in Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Ill., and Paducah, Ky.

Court side tickets are $15 and are available only at the Show Me Center box office and the Southeast athletic office. General admission tickets are $8 and available at any of the ticket outlets.

For more information or to charge tickets by phone, call 651-5000.