Auburn volleyball did not have the season it was hoping for in 2014, but the Tigers are working hard to improve in 2015.
Coach Rick Nold is happy with where the team is entering the 2015 season.
“Last year [we] struggled, but I thought we had a great spring, made some big improvements,” Nold said. “The girls worked hard this summer, and you can see that. We’re starting off on a much higher level than we did last year.”
The team returns all six starters and the libero from last year’s team, which went 13-18 overall and 5-13 in SEC play.
While there are only two seniors on the team, most players have extensive experience and are ready to build off the lessons learned during the tough season in 2014.
“The group we have, they know what to expect,” Nold said. “They know the things that maybe we struggled with some last year and that’s why they’re determined to start right this year and really, really compete this year.”
Junior middle blocker Stephanie Campbell is one player that returns and will be counted on as a leader of this year’s team.
“We had a taste of what losing was like last year,” Campbell said. “This year we definitely have a drive to get better every single day in practice and there’s just a really big focus on holding each other accountable and not letting losing be OK."
The Tigers have five newcomers this year, including three freshmen and two transfers, who have pushed the veterans for playing time.
“It’s been really fun in practice,” the fifth-year coach said. “Normally I have a feel for what kind of lineup we’re going to have, but right now it’s been a battle at every spot.”
Auburn will play a school record eight nationally televised games in 2015 on the SEC Network and ESPNU, giving the program an unprecedented amount of exposure.
“Fans that maybe weren’t volleyball fans before, they’re getting an opportunity [to watch games],” Nold said. “They fall in love with the sport, so it’s been a huge blessing for us.”
Auburn will open the 2014 season against Stephen F. Austin on Aug. 28 at Auburn Arena.
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