Blue-Gold Scrimmage to Highlight Second Week of Volleyball Preseason Drills
8/13/2018 4:42:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
“I’m really happy with the way we are approaching things from a focus standpoint,” Jones said. “The goals last week were to reinforce our culture through being on the court, along with creating a competitive gym environment and establishing our offensive and defensive systems. I think we’ve achieved all those things and it’s now a matter of fine-tuning things.”
Second-year head coach Daniel Jones set out to strengthen his team's culture on the court in the first week of volleyball preseason. His second week of play will be highlighted by its annual Blue-Gold Scrimmage on Tuesday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. in Shroyer Gym.
"I'm really happy with the way we are approaching things from a focus standpoint," Jones said. "The goals last week were to reinforce our culture through being on the court, along with creating a competitive gym environment and establishing our offensive and defensive systems. I think we've achieved all those things and it's now a matter of fine-tuning things."
Jones welcomed back nine letterwinners, including four starters and libero. In addition, he has worked eight newcomers into the mix as well. Last year, the Bobcats recorded a 10-15 overall mark and a 6-10 Big Sky Conference ledger. Both records were MSU's best since the 2012 campaign.
"The scrimmage will give us a chance to look at a lot of different combinations," Jones stated. "We'll put them in their jerseys and let them get some of those nerves out. We'll go through full pre-match warm-up to get the newcomers accustomed our routine. We need to get the systematic things of a match taken care of so when they step on the court for the Carroll College match there is a comfort level."
The Bobcats will host the Saints in an exhibition match on Monday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.
Until then, Jones and company will continue with its preseason drills with an eye on the season-opener against Canisius at the Cleveland State Tournament on Aug. 24. While continued growth is the goal in the next few weeks, Jones is cautiously optimistic about the potential of the 2018 squad.
"It's (practice) been really good," Jones commented. "We've been able to lay down a lot of foundation. I've really appreciated the energy and enthusiasm and passion the girls have brought in to the gym. It's meant that we have been able to be very detail oriented while at the same time pushing them to make the changes they need to and we've made a good amount of progress this first week."
Tuesday's scrimmage is free and open to the public.
"I'm really happy with the way we are approaching things from a focus standpoint," Jones said. "The goals last week were to reinforce our culture through being on the court, along with creating a competitive gym environment and establishing our offensive and defensive systems. I think we've achieved all those things and it's now a matter of fine-tuning things."
Jones welcomed back nine letterwinners, including four starters and libero. In addition, he has worked eight newcomers into the mix as well. Last year, the Bobcats recorded a 10-15 overall mark and a 6-10 Big Sky Conference ledger. Both records were MSU's best since the 2012 campaign.
"The scrimmage will give us a chance to look at a lot of different combinations," Jones stated. "We'll put them in their jerseys and let them get some of those nerves out. We'll go through full pre-match warm-up to get the newcomers accustomed our routine. We need to get the systematic things of a match taken care of so when they step on the court for the Carroll College match there is a comfort level."
The Bobcats will host the Saints in an exhibition match on Monday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.
Until then, Jones and company will continue with its preseason drills with an eye on the season-opener against Canisius at the Cleveland State Tournament on Aug. 24. While continued growth is the goal in the next few weeks, Jones is cautiously optimistic about the potential of the 2018 squad.
"It's (practice) been really good," Jones commented. "We've been able to lay down a lot of foundation. I've really appreciated the energy and enthusiasm and passion the girls have brought in to the gym. It's meant that we have been able to be very detail oriented while at the same time pushing them to make the changes they need to and we've made a good amount of progress this first week."
Tuesday's scrimmage is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, January 18
Monday, November 15
Saturday, September 04
Friday, September 03
