Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Volleyball wraps up successful preaseason
08/19/2010 | 12:00:00 | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 19, 2010
By Dana Ingraham
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois volleyball team is concluding its final full week of practice before the 2010 season officially begins, and the veteran team has made the most of preseason camp in preparation for building upon its success from last year.
"We have exceeded everything we thought we would do in camp," said head coach Brenda Winkeler. "The energy has been incredible, and the things we have been doing physically and especially on defense have been very productive."
The Salukis' shift on the defensive end comes at the hands of new assistant coach Evan Hook, who was a libero for Long Beach State (2003). Hook has been working closely with SIU's defensive specialists in junior Lauren Blumhorst and sophomore Bailey Yeager to strengthen Southern's defensive mentality.
"Evan has done a great job," Winkeler said. "His ability and enthusiasm in the gym and his ability to hit balls at a pace that we're going to see at the top of the conference has really helped us."
While adjustments have been made to the Saluki defense, the offensive effort has also improved from last season. SIU's hitting percentage has improved, and it will look to take advantage of that early on in season-opening tournaments.
"Our passing is definitely improving and we are able to dig more balls," said Winkeler. "We're still smaller in the Valley overall, so we would like to have some more offensive power, but we do have more quickness. We have gotten better in the fact that we can keep more balls alive and make less errors."
Winkeler and her team enter the season after jumping out to the best start in program history (11-0) and a sixth place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2009 - where SIU is projected to finish again this season. Nearly the entire roster from last year is back, headlined by All-MVC performers Jennifer Berwanger and Alicia Johnson, as well as setter Rachael Brown. The most significant loss for the Salukis was that of Chandra Roberson, who graduated as the all-time leader for career block-assists (381). Freshman Jessica Whitehead (Murphysboro, Ill.) has worked on transitioning to fill the void, and the coaching staff has high expectations of the newcomer.
"Everyone has worked extremely hard during the last week and a half," said Winkeler. "Everyone has been very comfortable because almost everybody played last year, so we have an easier transition. We still have over a week until our first match so we definitely have to stay the course, but I have been really pleased with preseason so far."
The team is hosting its own Maroon and White scrimmage this Saturday at 10 a.m. in Davies Gym that is open to the public. The Salukis will look to work on serve-receive patterns and incorporate basic skills into team-oriented aspects of the game. SIU officially kicks off its season Friday, Aug. 27 when it faces off against Green Bay as part of the University of Iowa Tournament.
