MOREHEAD, Ky. - With only six days left until the season opener, the Morehead State volleyball coaching staff got a good indication of what is working so far in Fall camp, what needs work, and just how much depth the Eagles will have this season when the squad battled through four sets in an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday at newly- refurbished Wetherby Gym.
Playing in front of large contingent of supporters, the Eagles' got solid efforts from a plethora of their veterans, and the staff got to evaluate the incoming freshmen as well in match-time scenarios.
“I was pretty pleased with how we played,” coach
Jaime Gordon said. “We got the chance to see a lot of different lineups together. We’re talented and we’ve got good depth. It will give us the chance to have a lot of different personnel combinations on the floor this season.”
Leading the way on the attack was redshirt freshman outside hitter
Aryn Bohannon with 15 kills. Sophomore
Annie Gruenschlaeger also appears to be ready to pick up where she left off in 2009. The nation's top freshman blocker last year, she turned back 13 attacks during the two-hour scrimmage.
On defense, the Eagles had the task of replacing the school's all-time dig leader in Kristina Schoo, but newcomers
Leslie Schellhaas and
Lindsey Roth appear more than capable if Saturday's event is any indication. Schellhaas came up with 17 digs, while Roth matched her. Senior
Kirstie Brangers, running mainly the White team offense, handed out 35 assists and notched 17 digs. Sophomore setter
Caitlin Clark, who played sparingly as a freshman, also dished off 35 assists as the primary Blue team signal caller.
Among the other Eagles with notable numbers were freshman
Laura McDermott with 10 kills, redshirt junior
Emma Keough with 10 spikes, and senior
Holly Evans with six total blocks.
The event also gave MSU fans a chance to renew or purchase their seasons tickets for the 2010 season. With several more season ticket options this year and many perks for being a ticker holder, fans were lining up in droves after the event to snatch up the best seats. New this year are personal seat nametags. Fans were able to personally select the seat they wanted, and a customized nameplate will be mounted on their seat before the season opener in September.
“Our turnout today for an intrasquad scrimmage was pretty impressive,” Gordon said. “I want to thank our fans and parents for turning out to support us today. I would remind Morehead State fans that we are still selling season tickets. We have a chance to have a pretty special season that will provide for a fun, exciting atmosphere.”
The Eagles open the season on Friday, Aug. 27 against Georgia State in the GSU Invitational in Atlanta. MSU will also face Wright State and North Florida at the tournement. This year's home opener is set for 7 p.m. on Sept. 17 against defending Ohio Valley Conference champions Jacksonville State