UDC Announces Fall Sports Schedules
Washington, DC- July 22, 2010-- The University of the District of Columbia, today, released its 2010 fall sports schedules. The seasons officially get underway on September 2, when the Firebirds Women’s Volleyball Team hosts the Virginia Union University Panthers, at home. Then the Men’s & Women’s Cross-country teams take to the course at the Salisbury State University Invitational in Salisbury, Maryland on September 4.
The Firebirds Men’s Soccer Team will also kickoff their season on September 4, in the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Tournament in Johnstown, PA. The Firebirds Women’s Tennis Team begin their fall season on September 10, at St. Thomas Aquinas in Sparkhill, NY, while the Men’s Tennis Team open their season in ITA competition on September 18, in Philadelphia, PA.
Under the guidance of second year Head Coach Sheila Weaver, the Firebirds Volleyball Team will play a 23 match schedule that includes CIAA foes Virginia Union University, Bowie State University, Virginia State University and St. Augustine’s College. The schedule also includes across-town rivals Catholic University and Washington Adventist University.
Coach Weaver is excited about the season stating, “I am looking forward to a season designed to lift the Firebirds to new heights. Last year’s starters, senior Ashley Jefferson (Manvel, TX/Alvin H.S.), senior Joi Upton(Baltimore, MD/Baltimore Polytechnic H.S.), senior Karen Trevino (Anthony, NM/Garden H.S.) and senior Carmen Smith (Houston, TX/ Carnegie Vanguard H.S.) form the core of this year’s team; adding three experienced transfer students, Vanessa Leal Garley, Grace Perilli, and Grace DeMichelis to the mix will definitely improve the competitiveness of our squad.”
Weaver added, “We will have more experience, versatility, and leadership at every position. We have further enhanced the program by bringing in full-time Assistant Coach Cornelius McFerson. And, for the first time, we will travel outside of the area to participate in the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Shark’s Tournament, which includes outstanding teams from the mid-west, Florida and southern states. Overall, I feel that we are keying in on the pieces necessary to build an outstanding program and we encourage the community to come out and support the Firebird Volleyball Team.”
Third-year Head Soccer Coach Khary Stockton is highly optimistic about the upcoming season stating, “The UDC Firebirds Men’s Soccer Team has high expectations for the 2010 season. I have signed a number of new players with local ties as well as international players. We are extremely excited about our new players, coaching staff and facility improvements, which will allow the University to become a force on the national scene.” The Soccer team will play an 18 match schedule that includes matches against teams that were nationally ranked last season, including such power houses as # 2 ranked Millersville, #10 ranked Slippery Rock and three who were ranked in the top twenty: Mercyhurst, Davis & Elkins and East Stroudsburg.
The Firebirds Men's and Women’s Cross-Country Teams will compete in six meets, each, this season. They look to qualify for the NCAA Regionals and then to move on to the Championships in late November. Second-year Head Coach Jasmine Rogers said, “I am looking forward to the start of the season. The leadership of our seniors will be a great asset to the teams.”
The Women’s Tennis Team looks forward to competing in the East Coast Conference (ECC) and hope to improve upon last year’s performance. The team will play 9 matches, in addition to competing in ITA Tournament play. Then, they will compete in ECC Championship at the end of the fall season. Head Tennis Coach T. Richard “Dickie” Mahaffey, III is realistic about his expectations saying, “This will be a rebuilding year for our women’s team. I am looking forward to new arrivals to help strengthen the team and help improve upon last year’s season.”
UDC’s Head Men’s Tennis Coach T. Richard “Dickie” Mahaffey stated, “Our Men’s Tennis Team will have three returning players led by sophomore Tomas Gajdusek (Prague, Czech Republic/Gymnazium Nad Stolou), who is looking to build on his undefeated singles record from last season. Also returning are seniors Karlon Bernard (Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago/Scarborough Secondary) and Lalindra Jayatilleke (Suva, Fiji Islands/Suva Grammar School). This core group will provide experience and leadership to the team”. The team will play a schedule that includes ITA competition and three other matches.