Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Volleyball Set to Compete in Season Opening Tournament
8/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 25, 2011
HUNTINGTON, W.VA. - The Marshall University volleyball team closed out preseason training Thursday and is preparing to travel to Morehead, Ky. to compete in the Morehead State University Tournament. The Herd will play against tournament hosts, MSU, and the No. 24 ranked University of Michigan during the two day event.
Coach Mitch Jacobs' team returned to Marshall's campus on August 8, and has been preparing daily for the upcoming matches. During the August practices, Jacobs and his staff have been busy implementing a new offense and preparing six newcomers for collegiate volleyball.
Included in that group are two new setters, Sammie Bane and Katie Potts. "Both incoming setters have done a really good job in pre-season. They are good competitors and are adding to the team," commented Coach Jacobs on the freshmen duo.
Jacobs went on to talk about the freshmen as a group saying, "If anything, you can tell the freshmen haven't been shy to compete in practice. Whether or not they're on the court during matches or not, they have to take those practices as if they are real matches. You play as hard as you can, make the first side better, and hopefully you can get yourself a position to be on that side."
The team has eight starters returning for the upcoming fall season, including lone senior, Cameron Yoho. In 2010 Yoho finished with 213 kills as a middle blocker and had the second most starts on the team. She led the team in attack percentage as well as in total blocks.
"Cameron is doing an outstanding job of what a senior needs to do," said Coach Jacobs. "The players understand what is needed of them in terms of responsibilities for pre-practice, during practice, and post-practice. Seniors have to make sure everyone is on task and Cameron has done a great job with that. As far as on the court, Cameron looks better right now pre-season than I have seen her at any time. I'm looking for a good year out of Cam."
After having a productive preseason, the team is looking to get started on the 2011 season. Jacobs talked about the preseason, saying, "After everyone started to develop and get themselves in playing shape, we saw some good things. I think we are competing pretty hard against each other and that's a great start."
The volleyball program will open up this Friday, August 26, against Michigan at 1:00 p.m. ET and follow up with Morehead State at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday. The match against Morehead State is expected to be yet another heated match in a rivalry that has taken place in the past seven of Coach Jacobs nine seasons at Marshall.
"We are excited to get going and get in a match and find out what our weaknesses are start getting better in the gym," said Jacobs. "We have an idea, but we want to see how our opponents break us down so we can get back in the gym and keep working."
To follow the volleyball team during matches, use this LIVE STAT LINK. To get updates and news releases, follow the Marshall volleyball team on their HOME PAGE.
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