Alabama Volleyball Opens Fall Practice Wednesday
8/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
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TUSCALOOSA – For ninth-year Alabama head volleyball coach Judy Green the waiting was the hardest thing, but on Wednesday the waiting ended as Green put the 2004 edition of Crimson Tide volleyball through the paces of their first practice.
The Tide, coming off their fifth consecutive winning season last year at 18-13, got things rolling for 2004 with position drills in the morning followed by a full team practice at night. Alabama will participate in two-a-day practice sessions until University classes begin on Aug. 25.
“It was just exciting to be back in the gym working,” said Green. “The team arrived in good spirits and very good physical shape. This team is going to be a true joy to coach and I couldn’t wait to get them back on campus so that we could begin our season’s journey. The first day of practice is always nice to get under your belt.”
Alabama returns eight letterwinners and five starters from last year’s squad that finished second in the SEC Western Division. The Tide also welcomes an extremely talented crop of newcomers that includes a pair of freshmen setters vying for the starting setting position. A trio of seniors led by returning All-SEC standout and preseason All-American candidate Erin Heffner are looking to continue Bama’s run of success with hopes of pushing the program to the next step... a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Crimson Tide open the 2004 season playing its first five matches at home in the CAVE. UA opens the year on Sept. 1 versus NCAA tournament participant Alabama A&M. UA then hosts the Crimson Tide Invitational on Sept. 3-4 before closing out the home stand against Florida State on Sept. 7.
Fans of the Tide can get an early look at the squad on Tuesday, Aug. 24 at the annual “Crimson-White Scrimmage”. The event starts at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
