Aug. 21, 2000

LOS ANGELES - Junior middle blocker Angela Eckmier (Simi Valley/Van Nuys HS) has suffered a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee, and will be lost to the Bruins for the entire 2000 season. She plans to have surgery on the knee some time in September.

Eckmier, who averaged 1.31 kills and 0.78 blocks per game as a reserve middle blocker in 1999, was slated to start at middle blocker for the 2000 Bruins. Last season, Eckmier played in 36 games over a span of 20 matches.

"It's definitely a loss for our team," said head coach Andy Banachowski, "but we expect (redshirt freshman) Ella Harley to step in for Angela, and (freshman) Cira Wright will back her up."

The top-ranked Bruins will open their 2000 season this Friday at the State Farm Women's Volleyball Classic when they take on second-ranked and defending NCAA Champion Penn State in Gainesville, FL. The match will be played at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 25, and will be broadcast tape-delayed at 9:30 a.m. PT, Saturday, Aug. 26 on ESPN2.