Fresno State Athletics
Practice Begins
8/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 10, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The 2009 volleyball season is less than three weeks away as the team hit the court officially for the first time on Monday, August 10. The team will be practicing in the North Gym the first two weeks, before moving over to the Save Mart Center before the home opener vs. Cal State Bakersfield on Friday, August 28 in the Fresno State Invitational at 7 p.m.
The `Dogs reported at 8 a.m. on Sunday, August 9, as the entire team will live in the dorms the first two weeks of practice as a team.
Also on Sunday, the `Dogs had team meetings, a compliance meeting, physicals and picked up their equipment.
Monday was the only day with just one practice until school begins on August 24. The team will then move to double-days with individual practices, strength and conditioning and fitness tests.
The team also has a trip scheduled to Children's Hospital on August 18 to visit the patients in the Central Valley.
The first practice at 9 a.m. on Monday consisted of dynamic warm-ups and stretches. Each student-athlete was then paired with another as they played a doubles tournament. Each match was five minutes long and everyone had a chance to partner with each other. That tournament lasted the entire practice as the student-athletes learned how to play together and work on basic skills such as ball control
Head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell is in her second season with the `Dogs, who were picked to finish sixth in the league by the WAC coaches last week.
"We are all very excited for the season," said Netherby-Sewell. "We had a great first day. There was a lot of energy on the court. Our newcomers are already putting pressure on our returners and our returners already look better."
Netherby-Sewell's team consists of 10 returning letterwinners and seven returning starters from the 2008 team. Junior Lexi Watson also returns to the team after missing last season after suffering an injury in the pre-season.
"It was scary at first to be back," Watson said. "I was rusty at first but once I got back into the groove it came back a little. It will take some time to get back into it but I'm ready to get back to my old self and ready to learn more and to get better."
Four newcomers (three freshmen and one transfer) complete the roster.
"Walking into the gym for the first practice I was pretty nervous," said freshman Marissa Brand. "Once I got out on the court and started playing with everyone I calmed down. After my first day I am totally excited."
Single match tickets and the Friends and Family Flex Pack are also on sale at www.gobulldogs.com or by calling (559) 278-DOGS.
"We Are Your Team" - Don't forget to purchase your Volleyball Friends and Family Flex Pack to receive 48 general admission tickets for only $89 (4 per home game). To purchase your tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office or give them a call at 559-278-DOGS.
