Serves Up!

Volleyball season starts Friday

VALDOSTA, Ga. - Valdosta State volleyball will start the season against Rollins at the West Georgia Invitational at 2 p.m. on Friday. The Lady Blazers will face Stillman, South Carolina-Aiken and Barton before the weekend is over.

For a full look at the schedule, click here. To download a schedule wallpaper for your computer desktop, click here.

After finishing 18-19 and just missing the Gulf South Conference tournament, VSU is looking for improvement this season. Head Coach Sia Poyer feels like the preseason has been full of good effort and that the team is on its way to a better season.

"It's been a really fun, competitive preseason of practice for us this year," said Poyer. "The junior class has really stepped up to lead this team into the season."

The junior class consists of outside hitters Irene Hannan and team captain Ruthie King, setter Emelia Saulter and middle blocker Arielle Parnell. Hannan and King, according to Poyer, have led the group in effort and attitude, and he needs that from his most consistent offensive duo.

Saulter has challenged Lea Weber at the setter position this season.

"She has been pretty good competition for Lea, and she has been playing lights out on defense," Poyer said of Saulter. "She's playing like a veteran and with great effort."

That said, Weber has improved from last season. She played in 34 of 37 matches last season as a freshman. This year Poyer looks for more consistency and leadership from Weber.

Parnell is part of a solid middle blocker position. The others are sophomore Chelsea Logan and freshman Tania Tauiliili. Logan leads all returners in attack percentage and was the best blocker on the team last season. She also notched 58 service aces on the year. Tauiliili is a 5-foot-11 freshman that will contribute this season.

One of the biggest losses from last season was Laura Boos at the libero position, but Poyer has two players battling to take over the spot. Sophomore Macy Markham is competing with freshman Chelsea Luttfring. Poyer believes both are getting better every day. Luttfring brings an extensive sand volleyball background that is helping her in her first season. Freshman Jennifer Bryant is also competing at the libero position.

As with every college volleyball team, most of the offense comes from the hitters on the outside. King and Hannan have the starting spots locked down, but freshman Katie Onushko has stepped up in the preseason according to Poyer. She can hit from the left or right and puts "monster" hits down Poyer said. He has also been impressed by her defense. Redshirt sophomore Chelsea Proffitt will also log time at outside hitter.

Check back at www.vstateblazers.com for results from this weekend's tournament.

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