Grizzly Volleyball back on the road
9/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The Grizzly volleyball players are giving their suitcases and garment bags a real workout.
After only two days of practice, the team will be on the road again.
This weekend the team will travel to Orlando to play in a round-robin tournament with Ole Miss, the University of Central Florida and Charleston Southern.
Although the Grizzlies' record is 4-3, head Coach Nikki Best said she isn't concerned because the losses were to nationally-ranked teams.
The Griz dropped three straight games last weekend in a San Diego tournament, but the team had the opportunity to compete against some of the most elite players in the nation, Best said.
In the tournament, the Griz didn't win a single game, but despite the defeat, the team is stronger now, Best said.
"We have some tough, tough preseason games," Best said. "Although we always want to win - (no one wants to lose) - our focus is gaining experience to make us better for the regular season."
This weekend's preseason play will also serve as practice for the Griz. Montana and Mississippi will meet for the second time in three weeks. The Griz won the last time the two faced off, beating Ole Miss in four games.
That win helped Montana capture the title at the Ruby's Montana Invitational. "Against Ole Miss, the challenge will be playing a good team for the second time," Best said.
Ole Miss has a standout middle blocker who has a considerable height advantage over the Griz blockers and places the ball well, Best said.
The University of Central Florida team is 2-5 on the season after going 1-2 last week. UCF advanced to the NCAA championships last year, and Best wants to key in on their star outside hitter, Leyre Santaella Sante.
Sante was an All-Atlantic Sun Conference first-team selection last year and is now averaging 5.28 kills and 2.72 digs per game.
"Sante is the power player for UCF," Best said. "She's going to see the ball a lot and to counter her hits, we've been heavily focusing on our blocks."
Charleston Southern is 3-5 heading into the tournament, and Best said she doesn't know quite what to expect from them.
The Griz don't play Charleston Southern until Saturday, so the team will have the opportunity to watch them play, Best said.
After this weekend's tournament, the Griz will have two weeks off to prepare for their first conference match against Eastern Washington on Sept. 27.
After only two days of practice, the team will be on the road again.
This weekend the team will travel to Orlando to play in a round-robin tournament with Ole Miss, the University of Central Florida and Charleston Southern.
Although the Grizzlies' record is 4-3, head Coach Nikki Best said she isn't concerned because the losses were to nationally-ranked teams.
The Griz dropped three straight games last weekend in a San Diego tournament, but the team had the opportunity to compete against some of the most elite players in the nation, Best said.
In the tournament, the Griz didn't win a single game, but despite the defeat, the team is stronger now, Best said.
"We have some tough, tough preseason games," Best said. "Although we always want to win - (no one wants to lose) - our focus is gaining experience to make us better for the regular season."
This weekend's preseason play will also serve as practice for the Griz. Montana and Mississippi will meet for the second time in three weeks. The Griz won the last time the two faced off, beating Ole Miss in four games.
That win helped Montana capture the title at the Ruby's Montana Invitational. "Against Ole Miss, the challenge will be playing a good team for the second time," Best said.
Ole Miss has a standout middle blocker who has a considerable height advantage over the Griz blockers and places the ball well, Best said.
The University of Central Florida team is 2-5 on the season after going 1-2 last week. UCF advanced to the NCAA championships last year, and Best wants to key in on their star outside hitter, Leyre Santaella Sante.
Sante was an All-Atlantic Sun Conference first-team selection last year and is now averaging 5.28 kills and 2.72 digs per game.
"Sante is the power player for UCF," Best said. "She's going to see the ball a lot and to counter her hits, we've been heavily focusing on our blocks."
Charleston Southern is 3-5 heading into the tournament, and Best said she doesn't know quite what to expect from them.
The Griz don't play Charleston Southern until Saturday, so the team will have the opportunity to watch them play, Best said.
After this weekend's tournament, the Griz will have two weeks off to prepare for their first conference match against Eastern Washington on Sept. 27.
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