U.S. VS. RUSSIA MATCH TO FEATURE ELITE TALENT

Mick Haley, coach of the United States Women's National Volleyball Team, says fans who come to the Show Me Center for Tuesday's exhibition match against the Russian Nationals should be prepared to see some of the top female athletes anywhere.

"The biggest difference between this and college is the athleticism of the players. Each team has six to eight unbelievable athletes," said Haley. "Also, the women will hit the ball much harder than any of the collegiate teams, so the game will be highly contested at the net."

Haley added that any person who enjoys volleyball will not be disappointed.

"They will see some tremendous volleyball," he said. "They will definitely enjoy themselves."

Tuesday's 7 p.m. contest will mark the first time an international volleyball match has been played in this area. The event is part of a five-match tour between the teams as both prepare for November's World Championships in Japan.

The tour will kick off tonight with a match in Memphis, Tenn. After Tuesday's match in Cape Girardeau, the teams will have remaining contests Friday in DeKalb, Ill., Saturday in Quincy, Ill., and Sunday in Normal, Ill.

"I believe the Russians' starting six have over 200 international competitions under their belts and we have about 60 at the most," said Haley. "That's why we want to play them. We get better every day when we play these kinds of teams."

Haley, named head coach of the U.S. National Women's Team in 1997, certainly brings impressive credentials to the post. He has coached the University of Texas for the past 17 seasons, compiling a 522-137-1 record and winning two national championships.

Haley said the U.S. Nationals are basically in a rebuilding type of mode as they gear up for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. There are no former Olympians on the roster.

But that doesn't mean the Americans are not without supreme talent as a host of former collegiate All-Americans dot the roster. Now it's just a matter of gaining international experience.

"That's why playing these types of matches are so important for us," Haley said.

Among the Americans' top players who will be in action Tuesday are former collegiate All-Americans Salima Davidson (Penn State), Valerie Sterk (Michigan State), Karrie Downey (Colorado), Molly Dreisbach (Kentucky), Allison Weston (Nebraska) and Mickisha Hurley (Barry).

Those six will likely start. The 5-foot-9 Davidson, the team's setter, also serves as captain. The 6-1 Dreisbach and Weston, along with the 5-10 Downey, are the outside hitters with the 6-2 Sterk and 6-1 Hurley the middle blockers.

Laura Davis (Ohio State), a 5-8 setter who is another former All-American, serves as the backcourt specialist.

Russia will counter with an extremely tall and powerful lineup that features nine players at least 6-2, including 6-6 and 6-5 hitters.

"The Russians will go 6-6 and 6-5 on the left side alone and they will be extremely good," said Haley. "Both teams will have tremendous athletes."

Haley said his players are looking forward to the exhibition matches and interacting with the fans. For approximately one-half hour after Tuesday's contest, Team USA will sign autographs.

"I think it's wonderful for the athletes. It's a fresh breath of air," he said. "The families and their youngsters will get a chance to interact with these great role models, which the players really enjoy."

* Tickets for Tuesday's match are $15 for court side and $8 for general admission.

Court side tickets are available only at the Show Me Center box office and the Southeast Missouri State University athletic office. General admission tickets are also available at Schnucks in Cape Girardeau and Disk Jockey Records in Cape, Carbondale and Paducah.

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