LORMAN, Miss. - The Alcorn State University volleyball program kicks off its 2017 season Friday and Saturday when it competes in the University of New Orleans Invitational at the Human Performance Center.
The team will square off with the host Privateers Friday at 10 a.m. before playing a 3 p.m. match against Southeast Missouri State. The Lady Braves round out their opening weekend in a noon contest Saturday with Fordham.
"I'm excited about putting these girls in a position where I know that they can be successful," said head coach Chelsey Nicholas. "Going into this weekend, I'm looking for progression. Win or lose, I want us to do it right. When we go into these games, we must take care of all of the details. I want us to go into this weekend and progress so that when we get into conference play, we're ready to go."
With 19 newcomers, including 16 freshmen, senior Brittney Dumas and sophomore Wanya Morris will be expected to step up offensively. Junior college transfers Alondra Rivera Modesto and Singryd Valadares bring experience to the court, while freshmen Daharri Thompkins and Fiapaipai Iosia and sophomore Melinda Perrilloux are also expected to contribute.
"We did watch video and some of our girls knew the other teams' players, but at the end of the day they haven't played before and this is a lot of girls' first collegiate game," added Nicholas. "I think the whole preparation process has been our mindset. If we play like we've prepared, then we're going to be able to battle."
UNO | Aug. 25 | 10 a.m.
The Privateers return nine players from a 2016 squad that posted a 5-25 record and welcome five newcomers. Fourth-year head coach Millicent Van Norden, who coached Alcorn to back-to-back Division titles in 2001 and 2002 and is Alcorn's all-time leading blocker, will look to junior Kaitlyn Grice, who led the team in total blocks (81) last year. The middle blocker was tapped as the Privateers captain. UNO was picked to finish 13th in the Southland Conference Preseason Poll.
Southeast Missouri State | Aug. 25 | 3 p.m.
The two programs face off for the first time in program history. The Redhawks went 7-23 in 2016 and are composed mostly of upperclassmen (five seniors and five juniors). Four of the nine returnees started last season, including seniors Krissa Gearring and Nzingha Clarke, who were both named to the Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team. Picked to finish ninth in the Preseason Poll, the team is led by seventh-year head coach Julie Yankus.Â
Fordham | Aug. 26 | 12 p.m.
The Rams went 11-18 a year ago and are returning all but one player from their 2016 squad. Junior Breanna Jones and senior Emily Frunk return as captains, while Atlantic 10 and ECAC Rookie of the Year Olivia Fairchild and sophomore Morgan Williams return as the only two players on the squad to have appeared in all 111 sets last season. Fordham was picked to finish eighth in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll. Saturday will also be the first meeting between the two teams.
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