Huskies Volleyball Dog Pound Challenge Serves to Help Animal Rescues

Dogs from Huskies to Bulldogs are helping rescue dogs Labor Day Weekend -- at the inaugural UConn women's volleyball Dog Pound Challenge, that is.

The Huskies are starting their season with a two-day charity tournament at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, inviting three other universities with dog mascots to play and help raise money for animal rescues. The tournament started on Friday and continues Saturday.

Teams competing with the Huskies in the round robin tournament include the UMBC Retrievers, the James Madison Dukes and the Bryant Bulldogs.

The Sigma Alpha sorority will be at the matches collecting donations that will benefit local animal rescues.

The matches are free of charge.

You can also make donations through GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/eashelterfund.

A Bloomfield Animal Hospital and Colchester Veterinary Hospital rabies vaccination clinic will also be held outside Gampel Pavilion. Fans can bring dogs on leashes and cats in carriers to get vaccinated. The clinic will be set up near the Jonathan statue. John Gagnon's Pet Resort in Colchester is sponsoring the event.

The UConn women's volleyball team is going into its third season in the American Athletic Conference after finishing last season with a 12-19 game record, winning seven games at home. The team will have 14 home matches this year, including two tournaments at Gampel.

Ed Tolentino joins the coaching staff as assistant coach and brings 15 years of coaching experience. He'll be working alongside head coach Kris Grunwald and second-year assistant coach Ellen Herman.

Fans can follow updates on the tournament under the hashtag #RuffEmUp on Twitter or follow the UConn women's volleyball team at @UConnVB. You can also see the full Huskies volleyball schedule at uconnhuskies.com.

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