Volleyball Opened 2011 Training Camp Today
8/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 9, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama women's volleyball team opened its 2011 training camp this morning with an 8:30 a.m. practice session at Foster Auditorium. The Crimson Tide will return to Foster Auditorium at 2:30 p.m. for its second practice session of the fall training camp.
"The pleasant thing is 13 players walked out to the locker room today," head coach Ed Allen said. "We spent most of the spring with four, so we're real encouraged that we have numbers and some athleticism. Bringing the skill level along and getting the six new faces to blend with kids that we have back will be critical. As we move through the next two weeks, their ability to play around one another and refine their skills remains our primary focus."
Alabama opened camp with 13 players, including one senior, three juniors, six sophomores and three freshmen. The Tide returns seven players from last season, including 2010 All-SEC Second Team selection, junior outside hitter Kayla Fitterer. UA also returns senior setter Stephanie Riley, juniors Kelsey Anderson and Leigh Moyer, and sophomores Brianne Vande Griend, Shelbi Goode and Kelsey Melito.
"It was awesome and everyone was excited," junior outside hitter Kayla Fitterer said. "This is my third year at Alabama and this is the most excited the team's been to get back on the court. Especially for me, I didn't play all spring season, so it's awesome to get back out there."
The morning practice session consisted of individual oriented drills, including transition hitting, setting, passing and defensive work. The afternoon practice will include team structured drills.
"We did a lot of individual and positional work this morning. The mornings are structured with individual type elements with the afternoons focused more on team oriented drills," Allen said. "We clearly see incoming players that can help us, and the three transfers will be huge for us. It's great to be able to look out on the court and see that you can play six-on-six and not have scrimmage players."
The six newcomers include three transfers in Cristina Arenas (Texas) Andrea McQuaid (Oklahoma) and Cortney Warren (Oklahoma) and freshmen Simone Henderson, Taylor Masterson and Katherine White.
UA fans will have the opportunity to enjoy 17 women's volleyball matches in Foster Auditorium this season, which includes the six games of the Hampton Inn Bama Bash. Alabama opens the tournament, and the season, against Alabama State at noon on Friday, Aug. 26. The tournament also features Texas State and Austin Peay.
The Crimson Tide will play 14 home matches this season and open Southeastern Conference play against Arkansas on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. Other key SEC matches include Sunday contests against Florida (Oct. 16) and Auburn (Oct. 30). The final home weekend of the season has the Tide hosting Kentucky on Nov. 11 and Tennessee on Nov. 13.
Season tickets for the 2011 Alabama women's volleyball team are on sale now. The Crimson Tide returns to newly renovated Foster Auditorium for the 2011 campaign, which begins with the Hampton Inn Bama Bash on Aug. 26-27. Full season ticket packages are $35 and can be purchased online through RollTide.com/tickets or by calling the Alabama ticket office at 205-348-2262 or toll free at 1-877-TIDETIX (843-3849).
Single game tickets will go on sale Monday, Aug. 22. Single game prices are $5 for adults, $3 for youths (18 and under) and free for UA students with their ACTion card.
