March 9, 2008
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF volleyball team opened practice under new head coach Todd Dagenais and new assistant coach Sam Shweisky last month in preparation for a number of spring matches. The Knights welcome USF to the new UCF Arena March 29, before traveling to Miami to compete in a tournament hosted by the Hurricanes on April 5.
UCF returns nine players from last season's squad, including seniors Jenny Heppert (Lawrence, Kan.) and Stephanie Serna (San Antonio, Texas).
In the month since they have started practice, the Knights' new leader has already seen many impressive things from his new squad.
"The setting position is always the most pivotal of any on a team," Dagenais said. "I am very impressed with where we are in terms of setting and as a team, I am extremely impressed with how committed they are in the strength and conditioning areas. That will allow us the physical conditioning to train at an intense level and give us the mental toughness to win the close matches."
The new head coach has also seen a great will to win and has felt a renewed energy from the Knights.
"It's been really enjoyable to be a part of a program with a renewed energy," Dagenais stated. "This is a team that wants so bad to be competitive and they are willing to show it everyday in practice."
Dagenais and Shweisky know what it takes to win and have a bright outlook on the future of UCF volleyball. Last season, the coaches combined for 53 wins at USC and UNLV, respectively, and both of their programs made it into the NCAA Tournament.
"Our greatest challenge right now is to improve our overall skill level," Dagenais said. "That will allow us to compete more consistently. Once we do that, then we put ourselves in position to win matches."
The UCF volleyball team will open its 2008 campaign at the Georgia Southern Tournament August 29-30. The remainder of the fall schedule will be release in mid-March. For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics
-UCF-