On Sept. 6 and 7, the women’s volleyball team hosted the pre-season Union University 2024 Volleyball Classic in the Fred DeLay Gymnasium. There, they played four strong teams and went 0-4 for the weekend.
Senior digital media communications major Reese Owens hit the 500th dig of her career during the tournament while supporting the team with 40 kills, ten aces, seven blocks, and three assists throughout the four games. Owens, along with Hope Harrington and Sydney Whittaker, took the lead in blocks where they had seven each. Marie Torosian had the most digs of the weekend with 46.
“We had a good weekend. Playing four games in a very short time is always difficult,” Owens said. “I think we grew a lot as a team and are figuring out how to play with each other. We were having fun together and playing as a team rather than as individuals. I think that the 0-4 start isn’t necessarily a good depiction of our performance, but rather showing the learning curve that comes with a new season along with having many players out injured.”
A new season always brings new challenges. The team has been in a season of transition and rebuilding as head coach Kristen Blackburn enters her second season, with an interim assistant coach, Kelly Elliot, due to the previous assistant coach resigning over the summer. This year, the team added four new freshmen and a new transfer to its roster.
“We understand that that Coach Kristen is doing a lot for us, and she has a lot on her plate,” Sydney Whittaker, a junior Public Relations major, said. “We’re obviously so thankful for Mrs. Elliot’s help but we understand that Coach Kristen is doing a lot, so I think that the team is really just coming together to support her but also to support each other.”
This weekend, the team hosted another tournament, this time against two new schools on the Sept. 13. With a great crowd turnout, the Lady Bulldogs played an energetic second game against Southwest Baptist University. The team played four sets against the Bearcats, but they ultimately lost in a 1-3 match.
“We are focusing on our side of the net, things we can control. That’s the utmost importance,” Owens said. “I thought we did well at that in our second game, and we want to continue doing that.”
The Lady Bulldogs will play their first conference game against Trevecca Nazarene University in the Fred DeLay Gymnasium on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. They will go into the game with their heads held high, ready to work as a team and claim that first conference win.
“We are really excited about conference and super hopeful,” Whittaker said.
