Post by bigfan on Sept 8, 2006 12:22:56 GMT -5
USC to face a former great
Nancy Somera, South Carolina's coach, is second on the Women of Troy's career digs list.
Alex Lebow
The No. 10 USC women's volleyball team (6-0) crosses the country this weekend to compete in the Gamecock Invitational in Columbia, S.C. USC takes the court against tough teams from Florida State (5-0) and St. John's (7-0), and South Carolina (7-1). All four teams won their respective tournaments this past weekend.
The Women of Troy must consider the effect of a grueling travel schedule, particularly after just two days of practice since the weekend.
"It's going to be a hard trip," coach Mick Haley said. "There's not much time for travel. We have two matches in one day, another match on Saturday and then we race to the airport to try to get back to USC. We need to keep our focus.
"The trip to Texas was a three- or four-hour trip, but was only a difference of two time zones. South Carolina is three time zones apart, and it's a pretty hostile environment, especially because it's the (Southeastern Conference)."
The players also acknowledged the difficulty of playing during long road trips.
"We're flying five hours across the country, and while that may be a bit of a downfall, it'll be fun to see how we step up to the challenge," junior outside hitter Diane Copenhagen said.
Copenhagen trails junior opposite hitter Asia Kaczor by seven kills for the team high. Kaczor leads the team with 93 kills and a 4.65 kill-per-game average.
USC opens in South Carolina with a doubleheader on Friday. They face Florida State at noon and then match up against host South Carolina at 8 p.m. Play concludes on Saturday as USC faces St. John's.
South Carolina coach Nancy Somera played for the Women of Troy from 1985-1988 and served as an assistant coach from 1991-1998. The Gamecocks lost once this season, 3-2 to Texas Christian, but this weekend marks their home opener.
As always, Debora Seilhamer will roam the backcourt as the libero. The senior will likely pass Somera for second place on the Women of Troy's all-time career digs list. She recorded 46 digs this past weekend at home and 67 digs the weekend before in San Marcos, Texas. Seilhamer needs 52 digs to pass Hillman.
While this weekend's competitors are not nationally ranked, the undefeated Women of Troy will face significant opponents on the road for the first time in 2006.
"All three teams are coming in there with the idea that they can beat a ranked team," Haley said.
Nancy Somera, South Carolina's coach, is second on the Women of Troy's career digs list.
Alex Lebow
The No. 10 USC women's volleyball team (6-0) crosses the country this weekend to compete in the Gamecock Invitational in Columbia, S.C. USC takes the court against tough teams from Florida State (5-0) and St. John's (7-0), and South Carolina (7-1). All four teams won their respective tournaments this past weekend.
The Women of Troy must consider the effect of a grueling travel schedule, particularly after just two days of practice since the weekend.
"It's going to be a hard trip," coach Mick Haley said. "There's not much time for travel. We have two matches in one day, another match on Saturday and then we race to the airport to try to get back to USC. We need to keep our focus.
"The trip to Texas was a three- or four-hour trip, but was only a difference of two time zones. South Carolina is three time zones apart, and it's a pretty hostile environment, especially because it's the (Southeastern Conference)."
The players also acknowledged the difficulty of playing during long road trips.
"We're flying five hours across the country, and while that may be a bit of a downfall, it'll be fun to see how we step up to the challenge," junior outside hitter Diane Copenhagen said.
Copenhagen trails junior opposite hitter Asia Kaczor by seven kills for the team high. Kaczor leads the team with 93 kills and a 4.65 kill-per-game average.
USC opens in South Carolina with a doubleheader on Friday. They face Florida State at noon and then match up against host South Carolina at 8 p.m. Play concludes on Saturday as USC faces St. John's.
South Carolina coach Nancy Somera played for the Women of Troy from 1985-1988 and served as an assistant coach from 1991-1998. The Gamecocks lost once this season, 3-2 to Texas Christian, but this weekend marks their home opener.
As always, Debora Seilhamer will roam the backcourt as the libero. The senior will likely pass Somera for second place on the Women of Troy's all-time career digs list. She recorded 46 digs this past weekend at home and 67 digs the weekend before in San Marcos, Texas. Seilhamer needs 52 digs to pass Hillman.
While this weekend's competitors are not nationally ranked, the undefeated Women of Troy will face significant opponents on the road for the first time in 2006.
"All three teams are coming in there with the idea that they can beat a ranked team," Haley said.
