Women’s volleyball strikes again

In their fifth year, the team’s new freshmen and veteran players anticipate a strong season

The women’s volleyball club is entering its fifth year on campus and there is optimism for the upcoming season.
The women’s volleyball club competes in three to four tournaments throughout the semester. The club plays teams from schools throughout the Southeast such as the University of Georgia, Clemson, Duke, Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia Southern.
The club has 12 returning members from last year’s team, and held open tryouts at the Centennial Center on Tuesday, Aug. 23, Thursday, Aug. 25 and Sunday, Aug. 28 to fill the remaining spots.
“I think our new players will add a lot to the team, and the fact that we have a lot of returning players is a strength,” President of the women’s volleyball club Callan Bennet said.
After taking second place at the Clayton State tournament last year, Bennett is confident they can only improve this upcoming season. Bennett believes her team’s greatest strength is its front row hitters. The team is talented in its offense, and strong at the net, however, she believes one area the team can always improve on is its players’ commitment to the club and to the team as a whole.
“I really feel like this year is going to be really good with the new freshmen and their talents,” vice president of the club, Lauren Lee said.
On Aug. 27, the women’s volleyball club hosted the “Bobcat Volleyball Bash,” at The Bellamy apartment complex. The purpose was to promote awareness for the club among the student body, and to raise money to help out with the upcoming season.
“It went exceptionally well,” head coach of the women’s volleyball team Stephen Price said. “At one point I counted about 75 people.”
“It was very exciting,” junior exercise science major Alex Dempsey said. “It was a very chill environment where friends could come and just relax and blow off stress from the week – and of course watch some awesome volleyball.”
Seven teams turned out to compete in the tournament.
“There was some pretty decent volleyball,” Price said.
In a few months, once the new Wellness and Recreation Center on West Campus opens, the women’s volleyball team is hoping to play host to another large tournament using the school’s new facilities. The tournament will be open to other college club teams throughout the Southeast.
The club has its own Facebook group, GC Women’s Volleyball Open Gym, where they plan to post invites to club teams in the surrounding area.