Buffaloes Open Season With First Practice
August 10, 2019 | Volleyball
BOULDER – Today marked the opening of the 2019 season for the University of Colorado women's volleyball team.
The team met for the first practice to begin the season with 18 individuals, including nine new members. The team has less than three weeks before the first competition, which is set for August 30th at home against Wyoming.
Though there are 18 individuals on the roster, only 15 will compete this season as transfer Leah Clayton will redshirt by NCAA rules, Brynna DeLuzio will redshirt with a knee injury and freshman Alexia Kuehl will redshirt her freshman season. The team returns four starters from last season, Justine Spann, Jenna Ewert, Rachel Whipple and Danielle Price.
The team will boast a young, talented roster than includes outside hitters Jill Schneggenburger, Elissa Alcantara, Sterling Parker and Kelly Levaggi. The four will be in strong consideration at both the outside and rightside positions this upcoming season. All bring strong arms and powerful hitting to the Buffs' offense.
Up front, Price anchors the defense alongside transfer Meegan Hart. Parker may also line up at middle as well as senior Lillie Klemmer who also works at rightside and as a serve rotation player.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH JESSE MAHONEY
On first practice
"First practice was fantastic, felt like we got a lot done. Early on it's a mix of trying to get better skill-wise, laying down our system and getting everyone on the same page with how we do things. We try to do that as much as we can early, and then we also have to have an eye on trying to compete as soon as possible."
On the group
"There's so much potential with this group, we have a lot of athleticism, lot of skill. We have a blend of young kids that are going to do a lot of great things, and then some veterans who have done great things and are hungry for more, it's been a fun group."
On this week of practice
"This first week we will spend a lot of time trying to get on the same page, then morph into some more six-on-six and figure out who will be out there when it matters."
The team met for the first practice to begin the season with 18 individuals, including nine new members. The team has less than three weeks before the first competition, which is set for August 30th at home against Wyoming.
Though there are 18 individuals on the roster, only 15 will compete this season as transfer Leah Clayton will redshirt by NCAA rules, Brynna DeLuzio will redshirt with a knee injury and freshman Alexia Kuehl will redshirt her freshman season. The team returns four starters from last season, Justine Spann, Jenna Ewert, Rachel Whipple and Danielle Price.
The team will boast a young, talented roster than includes outside hitters Jill Schneggenburger, Elissa Alcantara, Sterling Parker and Kelly Levaggi. The four will be in strong consideration at both the outside and rightside positions this upcoming season. All bring strong arms and powerful hitting to the Buffs' offense.
Up front, Price anchors the defense alongside transfer Meegan Hart. Parker may also line up at middle as well as senior Lillie Klemmer who also works at rightside and as a serve rotation player.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH JESSE MAHONEY
On first practice
"First practice was fantastic, felt like we got a lot done. Early on it's a mix of trying to get better skill-wise, laying down our system and getting everyone on the same page with how we do things. We try to do that as much as we can early, and then we also have to have an eye on trying to compete as soon as possible."
On the group
"There's so much potential with this group, we have a lot of athleticism, lot of skill. We have a blend of young kids that are going to do a lot of great things, and then some veterans who have done great things and are hungry for more, it's been a fun group."
On this week of practice
"This first week we will spend a lot of time trying to get on the same page, then morph into some more six-on-six and figure out who will be out there when it matters."
Players Mentioned
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