Lady Hawks host Huntingdon College Volleyball Jubilee this weekend
By Chuck Tidmore
Sports Information Intern
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon volleyball team used last weekend's Alumni Match as a measure of its preseason progress. The Lady Hawks hope this weekend's Huntingdon College Volleyball Jubilee will be another step in the right direction.
Huntingdon will hold the third annual tournament on Friday and Saturday in Roland Arena. The Lady Hawks will host Oglethorpe University, Wesleyan College and Talladega College.
The tournament begins at 1 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday.
"We're excited about the tournament and are looking forward to a good start to the season," Huntingdon head coach Amy Patterson said. "This will be a good gauge for how much progress we have made in the preseason. It will help us see which areas we can build off of and which areas we still need to improve."
With strong competition between 14 returning players and eight newcomers, the Lady Hawks have been battling for positions during August.
"The returners came back stronger and the girls are pushing each other," Patterson said. "There are no set positions right now. The starting lineup has been wide open and they know if they want a starting position, they have to work for it."
Patterson believes team unity, keeping a positive attitude and communication will be the keys to helping the team be successful this year.
"Our communication on and off the court will be important," Patterson said. "We want to make sure we're constantly in communication with each other and on the same page."
Junior Lexi Rangel reiterated Patterson's sentiments. She said the players know the importance of communication and playing as a team.
"Being team oriented is going to be a key," Rangel said. "We are communicating like a team and everyone has been willing to push themselves as hard as they can go. All of the returners have really stepped up their game and the freshmen are fitting in really well. There are 22 players, so there is a lot of competition."
Huntingdon College Volleyball Jubilee
(All matches in Roland Arena)
Friday
1 p.m. – Wesleyan vs. Oglethorpe
3 p.m. – Talladega vs. Wesleyan
5 p.m. – Huntingdon vs. Talladega
Saturday
10 a.m. – Huntingdon vs. Wesleyan
Noon – Oglethorpe vs. Talladega
2 p.m. – Huntingdon vs. Oglethorpe