Syracuse opens the 2008 season on August 29 at Clemson in the Big Orange Bash.
Orange Volleyball Returns to Campus and Begins Preseason Practice
8/15/2008 4:08:46 PM | Volleyball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – With its first match of the 2008 season exactly two weeks away, the Syracuse volleyball team is wrapping up its first week of practice. After arriving on campus August 9, the team went to work right away preparing for its opening match against Clemson at the Big Orange Bash on August 29 in Clemson, S.C.
The Orange return 12 letterwinners from last year’s team and welcome the presence of six new freshmen. Leading head coach Jing Pu’s 2008 squad are four returning starters, including seniors April Quigley and Brittany Kern, junior captain Kacie MacTavish and junior Sarah Morton.
Outside hitter MacTavish finished 2007 ranked second on the team with 414 kills and 350 digs. MacTavish, who hails from Sharon, Ontario, is sixth on the single-season charts with 1,177 attacks and third in school history with 9.57 attacks per game. Despite being named captain, MacTavish does not feel her role has changed.
“I always try to have a leadership role,” MacTavish said. “I’m still going to play the way I played and be a leader like I was before. It’s just a name.”
Kern is back for her final season with the Orange. Last season, Kern led the Orange with a .348 attack percentage and tallied a career-high 251 kills and 81 total blocks. A native of Indianapolis, Ind., Kern is excited to be back for one more season.
“It’s my final year and I want to make the most of it,” Kern said. “I’m excited to play. I’m ready to do my best, be a senior and be a leader. It’s a good feeling to have people look up to you.”
Following the tournament at Clemson, the Orange will compete in two more tournaments before the home-opener against Binghamton on September 9. Syracuse will host 12 home matches this fall, including six BIG EAST opponents beginning with Connecticut on October 3.
Stanchion to Stanchion | Laila Phelia
Wednesday, March 04
Naithan George postgame at Louisville
Wednesday, March 04
Adrian Autry postgame at Louisville
Wednesday, March 04
Highlights | Syracuse vs. Louisville
Wednesday, March 04
