Millersville, Pa. – The sun was hot and the air was humid on Monday afternoon, and the 2010 preseason officially began for the Millersville women’s volleyball team. First-year interim head coach
Brian Smith kicked things off with a timed run around Chryst Field, followed by drills in Brooks Gymnasium.
No volleyball was actually played on Monday; Smith strictly stuck to agility and fitness tests. At 2 p.m., with the sun beating down over Biemesderfer Stadium, the squad took off on a time two-mile run. Following the run the team moved indoors across campus to Brooks Gym where they completed jumping and endurance tests.
The heat, however, seemingly did not affect the group of 23 enthusiastic girls that came out to compete for a spot on the 15-person roster.
“We were very pleased,” said Smith. “The girls had a tough run to start and it was brutally hot, but I think we came in (to the season) in pretty good shape.”
With several new hopeful additions to the squad, the Marauders are looking to improve upon last year’s mark of 15-26. “The freshman look pretty good and all of the returning players are good, so everyone is excited,” said junior defensive specialist
Kellie Conahan. “Everyone has been really supportive so it’s an encouraging environment.”
Monday kicked off the first of the 17-day countdown to the Marauders season and home-opener, the Dutch Country Spiketacular Tournament in Pucillo Gymnasium on Saturday, Sept. 4.