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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Volleyball Flying High After First Week Of Practice
8/12/2011 | Volleyball
Aug. 12, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss volleyball team reported back to campus on Monday to begin preseason workouts as the squad works toward the opening of the 2011 season August 26 at the Burnt Orange Classic at the University of Texas.
And while the high-flying athletes have only been on the court for four days with the coaching staff, enthusiasm is through the roof as the squad prepares for an exhibition match against the Israeli National Team before taking on Pepperdine and Texas.
"We just finished up our fourth day of practice and for where we are on day four, we're in a good spot," said Ole Miss head coach Joe Getzin. "It shows me that the leadership on this team had a good summer. With eleven returning players, all of them got better over the summer. That's the first time I can say that's happened, and we saw everyone improve on their own.
"There's great energy and the spirit of the girls is high," Getzin continued. "They know this could be a special year for us."
After working in two-a-day practices for the first four days, the team will take some time over the weekend to shift the focus off the court. A retreat at Camp Hopewell waits this weekend where the squad will go through team building exercises and strengthen the bonds that can serve to help them in competition.
"We still have four new players and a big part of being successful is that everything has to be a team effort," Getzin said. "We'll spend some time this weekend developing teamwork and bonding as a unit."
Following the two nights away from the gym, the squad will return to practice on Sunday afternoon and continue preparation for a season the squad hopes to see end with yet another trip to the NCAA Tournament.
"We'll pick back up again on Sunday afternoon and get back to work," Getzin said. "Hopefully the weekend will provide some recovery time and then we'll get back here in the gym and get back at it."
While the season will open on the road at Texas, the first home weekend of competition for Ole Miss will come the weekend of September 10 when the Rebels host the Magnolia Invitational at the Gillom Sports Center.
