ATLANTA, GA— The Coastal Carolina women's volleyball team started the 2003 campaign in style, taking a five-game victory over Alabama on the opening night of the Courtyard by Marriott Classic, hosted by Georgia Tech. This was head coach Kristen Bauer's second consecutive opening night win at Coastal.

CCU got on top early, winning the first two games in close fashion, 30-25 and 30-22. The Crimson Tide dominated the next two games, 30-13 and 30-22, to send it to a deciding fifth game. There, the Lady Chanticleers came up big, posting seven kills and no hitting errors to Alabama's nine kills and three hitting errors to take the final game, 15-12.

Sophomore Katherine Jensen, a transfer from Ole Miss making her first collegiate start, was big for Bauer's team, posting career-bests of 14 kills and 30 digs. Sophomore Jennifer Hampton had 10 kills and no hitting errors for a .435 hitting percentage, while adding 33 assists. Freshman Kristin Rinne also did solid work in the libero slot, digging 18 balls in her first college match.

Coastal will play a pair of matches tomorrow to conclude the Courtyard by Marriott Classic. The Lady Chants take on host #12 Georgia Tech at noon, followed by Northwestern at 5 p.m.