thThe sixth-ranked Minnesota volleyball team will raise the 2004 NCAA Finalist Banner prior to Friday’s match against North Dakota State at 7:30 p.m. Minnesota will also honor last year’s team with the ring presentation as part the pre-match ceremony.

Minnesota National Finalist banner will be third addition to the collection in as many seasons. In 2003, the Golden Gopher raised their first Big Ten Championship banner. Last year, Minnesota raised its first Final Four banner prior to the Kansas State match on Sept. 10, 2004. This year, the Golden Gophers will be celebrating their first trip to the National Championship with their pre-match festivities.

The Golden Gophers open the Diet Coke Classic against North Dakota State on Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Minnesota will then host Central Florida on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 12:30 p.m. and Xavier to wrap up the tournament at 7:30 p.m.

Minnesota will wrap up Labor Day weekend with a highly anticipated match against No. 1 Nebraska on Monday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m.