Volleyball Begins 2011 Preseason Workouts
August 09, 2011 | Volleyball
Aug. 9, 2011
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GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina officially put last season's struggles to rest Tuesday, opening preseason workouts at Minges Coliseum with morning and afternoon sessions.
"It's always exciting starting a new season," third-year head coach Pati Rolf said. "The difference in the energy level is really noticeable compared to last year at this time. With so many returners, I feel like everyone is on the same page from the beginning. That will certainly be a positive going forward."
The Pirates will sport a balanced roster as all but two players return from the 2010 squad. Seniors Nicole Jones, Amanda Lutzow, Britney Roper and Jackie Varnum will be counted on to provide increased leadership as over half the team is still made up of underclassmen. However, with a year of collegiate experience in tow, sophomores Hannah Allgood, Shelby Beasley, Whitney Campbell, Kasey Kavanaugh and Andrea Queck should feel a higher level of comfort on the floor. Add junior Kelly Derby as well as a new talent in freshman Zarah Cecich and the Pirates hope they have the right combination to improve on last season's results.
"Lutzow and Roper will really be players to watch offensively," Rolf stated. "I am also looking for one of our setters to emerge and grab the starting role. Both of them are very talented and the competition will be intense for that spot. No matter if it's Kasey or Zarah, our offense should be able to run much more smoothly this season."
The day's practices consisted of three-person passing and hitting drills as well as five-on-five scrimmage situations. All of this followed agility testing at 8:30 a.m. as well as a compliance and handbook meeting Monday night.
After two-a-day workouts on Wednesday and Thursday, the team will head to Cape Hatteras Friday through Sunday for its annual preseason retreat. The season opens Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. when ECU takes on Gardner-Webb in the East Carolina Classic at Minges Coliseum. The Pirates also battle Presbyterian and Florida Atlantic during tournament play.
