Troy University Athletics
Volleyball Opens Practice
8/6/2013 4:35:00 PM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – The Troy volleyball team began preparing for the 2013 season on Tuesday with two practices inside Trojan Arena. The 2013 campaign will mark the first inside the new facility for the Trojans.
"It's a great venue," Troy head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. "It brings a great atmosphere and gives the girls a chance to play in a state-of-the-art arena with all the bells and whistles. It's something that all the athletes here have earned and we're looking forward to getting our chance out there on the floor."
The Trojans are coming off of a very successful 2012 season that saw them finish 21-12, including a 10-5 mark in Sun Belt play which was good for a second place finish in the league.
"We just need to keep getting better and it all starts today," Kirkpatrick said. "I really like the energy and ball control we've had but we just have to keep working for the end of August and our first match."
Troy won its first Sun Belt Championships game in program history in 2012 and will have the chance to do so again in front of its home crowd as Trojan Arena hosts the tournament in November.
The Trojans will open their home schedule with a Labor Day matchup against future Sun Belt foe Georgia Southern on Sept. 2 at 2 p.m. The Trojans open their season at the Southern Miss Invitational on Aug. 30.
Troy returns eight letterwinners from the 2012 team, including two seniors in setter Alexandra Alexander and libero Courtney Cohen. The two have both been named All-Sun Belt during their career and they join sophomore outside hitter Blair Winston to form a trio of all-conference performers for the Trojans.
Kirkpatrick, in his eighth season at the helm, will have to mix in six newcomers while also managing a tough schedule. The Trojans face six "power" conference teams during their four early season tournament including Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Connecticut, Georgia Tech and St. John's.
In addition, the Trojans will face a new-look Sun Belt that features additions in Georgia State, Texas State and UT Arlington.
For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter or Instagram at @TroyAthletics or on Facebook at Facebook.com/TroyAthletics.
