CENTRAL — The 2008 pre-season for the Southern Wesleyan University Volleyball team will be very different from Head Coach Derek Schmitt's first three seasons. On Tuesday, August 5, the team will travel to San Jose, Costa Rica, for an eight day mission trip.

During the trip, the team will participate in numerous ministry opportunities including: Vacation Bible School, volleyball clinics, a visit to an orphanage, distribution of food and Bibles, and a community project. In addition to ministry, the team will also play four matches against local teams.

"To say this is an exciting opportunity is a huge understatement," said Schmitt. He added, "We are very humbled by the chance to share Jesus' love with the people of Costa Rica. We'll have fun playing volleyball, sightseeing, and being together as a team, but the number one reason we are going to Costa Rica is for ministry."

Coach Schmitt also announced that he will have a daily blog on the SWU Athletics website, www.swuathletics.com, recapping each day's events. Then, on September 11, the team will celebrate the trip with family, friends, and the SWU community when they play their home opener against Reinhardt College at 7 p.m. The night has been declared "Costa Rica Celebration Evening" and there will be pictures and souvenirs from the trip displayed. Following the match, the team will share their experiences with all in attendance.