 Volleyball team members huddle for a mid-practice discussion. The practice began at 6:30 a.m Tuesday. Photo by Sarah Bono | The Appalachian “I was really, really happy with the scrimmage, especially with Fan Fest going on right before,” head coach Matt Ginipro said. “We had a great turnout with about 100 fans in the bleachers.”
With five new players joining the Mountaineers this year, the team has no doubt they will make it to the conference tournament in November.
“I have a really strong gut feeling we will win [conference] this year,” freshman Jessica Eley said.
Eley was recruited this year from Kansas City, Mo.Prior to the recruitment process, Eley had never heard of Appalachian State, but now feels a part of the Appalachian family.
“The new girls blend in really well,” senior and captain Caroline Sedon said. “No one considers them as ‘new.’ They are a part of the team.”
The squad has been practicing together all summer and began two-a-days about two weeks ago. This week the women begin regular-practice training to prepare for the High Point Tournament. The team will begin its tournament play against NC A&T this weekend.
“Our strength coach did an amazing job over the summer,” Ginipro said. “We didn’t have any nagging injuries, which will enable us to go harder longer.”
This year the Southern Conference has changed its regulations, allowing the top four teams in each division to enter the conference tournament.
In the 2009 conference tournament, the Mountaineers fell in the semifinals to Furman.
The Mountaineers have high hopes this year to take the win from Furman in a rematch and reach their goal of being SoCon Champions.
“It’s going to be a competitive year, with one heck of a conference tournament,” Ginipro said.
The volleyball team will host their first invitational Sept. 3, battling Eastern Kentucky, USC Upstate and Valparaiso.
Story: MADISON HINSHAW, Intern Sports Reporter
Photo: SARAH BONO, Intern Photographer |
