The Volleybees head into the 2016 season with almost the entire roster returning and all starters returning. Lots of optimism and potential for this to be a super season ending in a NCAAT appearance for Coach Michelle Collier in her 3rd year.
The Volleybees have gone from 13-18/6-12 in her 1st year to 18-14/9-11 in year 2. Last year left a sour taste in the mouths of these returning players though as the VB's were sitting at 17-9/8-6 with 6 matches left. IOW, sitting right on the NCAAT fence at that time. Losses in 5 of those last 6 was a disappointing way to end the season to say the least.
The Jackets open at Auburn Friday night. The match will be streamed live at 8pmET via SEC Network Plus. If you get WatchESPN/ESPN-3, you'll get SEC Network +. The Jackets defeated Auburn a year ago at O'Keefe 3-1. Auburn finished 2015 with a respectable 18-12 overall record and 10-8 in the competitive SEC (6th place).
The VB's will face Pacific University on Saturday morning at 10:30amET (9:30am local) at Auburn. Pacific went 17-13 last year and we know the west coast teams are normally very good while playing very tough competition. 4 teams from the West Coast Conference made the NCAAT last year - same as the ACC...the difference is all 4 ACC teams went out in the first round while 2 WCC teams made the Sweet 16. This game can be followed via Gametracker.
The one team who made the NCAAT at the Auburn field this weekend is Furman, who won the SoCon a year ago. The Jackets and Paladins will face off later on Saturday at 6pmET. This game can also be followed via Gametracker. I'll try to post links to SECN+ and Gametrackers in reply as we get close to match time.
If the Volleybees can get home with 2 wins this weekend, I think that will be a good start to the season. Certainly, we will face good competition against 3 clubs who all could be in the 64-team NCAAT field come December.
One of my favorite players on the VB's roster is Ashley Askin. The Junior Outside Hitter from Louisville, Kentucky, is not only a strong player around the net, but she is a joy to watch. I don't think any S-A at Tech has more fun on the court than her. Her smile during games is infectious. Though, don't be fooled. This young lady will break your nose with a spike if you don't watch out.
Follow her this season at AshleyIsAskin... http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/082416aaa.html
GO VOLLEYBEES!!
The Volleybees have gone from 13-18/6-12 in her 1st year to 18-14/9-11 in year 2. Last year left a sour taste in the mouths of these returning players though as the VB's were sitting at 17-9/8-6 with 6 matches left. IOW, sitting right on the NCAAT fence at that time. Losses in 5 of those last 6 was a disappointing way to end the season to say the least.
The Jackets open at Auburn Friday night. The match will be streamed live at 8pmET via SEC Network Plus. If you get WatchESPN/ESPN-3, you'll get SEC Network +. The Jackets defeated Auburn a year ago at O'Keefe 3-1. Auburn finished 2015 with a respectable 18-12 overall record and 10-8 in the competitive SEC (6th place).
The VB's will face Pacific University on Saturday morning at 10:30amET (9:30am local) at Auburn. Pacific went 17-13 last year and we know the west coast teams are normally very good while playing very tough competition. 4 teams from the West Coast Conference made the NCAAT last year - same as the ACC...the difference is all 4 ACC teams went out in the first round while 2 WCC teams made the Sweet 16. This game can be followed via Gametracker.
The one team who made the NCAAT at the Auburn field this weekend is Furman, who won the SoCon a year ago. The Jackets and Paladins will face off later on Saturday at 6pmET. This game can also be followed via Gametracker. I'll try to post links to SECN+ and Gametrackers in reply as we get close to match time.
If the Volleybees can get home with 2 wins this weekend, I think that will be a good start to the season. Certainly, we will face good competition against 3 clubs who all could be in the 64-team NCAAT field come December.
One of my favorite players on the VB's roster is Ashley Askin. The Junior Outside Hitter from Louisville, Kentucky, is not only a strong player around the net, but she is a joy to watch. I don't think any S-A at Tech has more fun on the court than her. Her smile during games is infectious. Though, don't be fooled. This young lady will break your nose with a spike if you don't watch out.
Follow her this season at AshleyIsAskin... http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/w-volley/spec-rel/082416aaa.html
GO VOLLEYBEES!!
