May 5, 2006

SAN LUIS OBISPO/SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara women's volleyball teams will play an exhibition match on Saturday, May 13 to benefit former Mustang great Carol Tschasar-Daniel. First serve is set for 4:00 p.m. in Mott Gym.

Daniel was injured on April 8 by a hit-and-run driver while jogging with friends along Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point, Calif. Her injuries include a broken neck, pelvis and a nearly-severed leg.

Admission to the match is free with donations being accepted. A raffle will be conducted throughout the match with proceeds going to the Carol Daniel Benevolent Fund to help offset her medical costs.

"I am so happy that we can put together a match that honors and benefits one of the truly meaningful players in Cal Poly volleyball history. As a coach who aspires to bring our program back to its status during the glory years of the mid-1980s, I see Carol as the ultimate representative of that group," Mustang head coach Jon Stevenson said. "I feel that this match is all about combining the great, long-standing rivalry between UCSB and Cal Poly, and making the connection as to just how tremendously devastating this accident has impacted a member of our Mustang Athletics Family."

Daniel played at Cal Poly from 1983-86 and was named All-American by Volleyball Magazine in 1986 when she set a school record with 75 solo bocks that season. Daniel also is the school record holder with 197 career solo blocks, total blocks in a season with 206 in 1985 (61 solo) and is second at Cal Poly in all-time blocks with 602. During the 1984 and 1985 seasons she helped Cal Poly to a No. 1 ranking in the AVCA national volleyball poll.

"Carol was a tenacious competitor who played the game of volleyball with such intensity. She is a fighter, and that quality will show as she begins her road back to recovery," UCSB head coach Kathy Gregory said. "We are honored to take part in Cal Poly's fund-raiser. This is a great opportunity for our players to give back to one of their own, and realize that life should never be taken for granted. Our thoughts are with Carol and her family during this difficult time."

A benefit dinner at Giuseppe's in Pismo Beach, hosted by owner Joe DiFronzo, will follow the match at 7 pm. Cost of the dinner is $75.00 per person with proceeds going to the fund.

To donate:
Carol Daniel Benevolent Fund
Washington Mutual
638 Camino De Los Mares #F140
San Clemente, CA 92673
(949) 661-7480