The Auburn University women's volleyball team sets off its 2013 season Friday, Aug. 30, in St. Louis for the first round of the Marcia E. Hamilton Classic.
An experienced team featuring six seniors, the Tigers will be tested early in the season by talented squads such as St. Louis University and the University of Nebraska, a national volleyball powerhouse that made it to the NCAA quarterfinals last season.
"There's some really good competition for us, obviously we start off with St. Louis," coach Rick Nold said. "They've had a very good program for a number of years and they're well coached. That's kind of where our focus is."
Senior middle blocker Camila Jersonsky said though the competition will be difficult, the preseason tournaments are a chance to see how their offseason preparation paid off.
"We have a good feeling about the season, but until you play someone, you don't really know," Jersonsky said. "We work really hard in the preseason, so it's a time for us to know where we are in comparison to the other teams."
Jersonsky, a 2012 All-SEC second team member from Buenos Aires, Argentina, said Nold has pushed them harder in training this offseason.
"We're practicing with 2-hour practices, twice a day," Jersonsky said. "Compared to my previous seasons, it's been really good."
Nold, who improved the Tigers' record by six games in his second season, said the large senior class has been crucial to the Tigers' productive offseason.
"Compared to the last few years, this has been without a doubt, one of our best preseasons in terms of being on the same page and getting through the stuff we need to get through," Nold said.
Nold said he hopes the senior leadership will help to incorporate the younger team members into the program.
"Chelsea (Wintzinger), in terms of setting, brings leadership and understands what hitters can handle different situations and how to put our team in the best situation to attack a defense," Nold said. "We've got a big group of newcomers, so when you have people that have been through the battles, it helps a lot."
Going into her senior year, Wintzinger said the team's goal is to finally return to the NCAA tournament, something the Tigers haven't accomplished since 2010.
"I went my freshman year as well as the other seniors, but I didn't go my sophomore and junior years," Wintzinger said. "I really want to end strong and make it my senior year."
Though volleyball is not the biggest sport on campus, both Wintzinger and Nold said they noticed those who come rarely leave disappointed.
"People don't really realize how fun and fast-paced volleyball is until you come and experience it for that first time," Wintzinger said. "I think a lot of people would love it because the energy and excitement make it a great sport to watch."
A change of venue should also help the Tigers increase attendance this fall.
"With us moving to the Arena, I think it puts us in a position where we're easier to get to than last year," Nold said. "You put it all together, it's a great environment."
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