April 15, 2008
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF volleyball team concluded its spring training Friday with a little fun in the sun, participating in an intra-squad, two-on-two beach volleyball tournament. The event was played in a queen of the beach format, where individuals team up with as many partners as possible, with middle blocker Jenny Heppert (Lawrence, Kan.) winning the `Queen of the Beach' title, claiming victories in the most matches.
"This was a fun way of finishing out non-traditional season," first-year head coach Todd Dagenais said. "The team has worked so hard as individuals and as a team to improve the things that the coaching staff has asked them to improve upon. So this was a neat way to wrap up and cut loose a little bit."
Following the end of their first spring season, Dagenais and his coaching staff enter into a dead period in May where they put their recruiting efforts on hold. During the course of the month, the staff will become familiar with Conference USA and the teams' other fall competition, while also working on finalizing their roster in preparation for the start-up of fall practice on Aug. 8.
"Looking back upon the spring, I'm really proud of our physical conditioning," Dagenais said. "Playing in these spring tournaments, I felt like we were a superiorly conditioned volleyball team. That conditioning has built the base which will allow us to train at a very high level next fall."
Dagenais expects to sign four athletes for the upcoming 2008 season, while also looking to add four walk-ons to the roster. Fans will be able to read up on the new recruits in the week to come.
In anticipation of the start of the fall season, the coaching staff will have a busy summer. Following the dead period in May, the staff will hit the recruiting trail again in June, focusing on players for the 2009-10 seasons. After seeing some fresh talent, they will return to UCF for a busy month of volleyball camps in July, before gearing up for their first full season at the helm of the UCF volleyball squad toward the end of the month.
The UCF volleyball team will open its 2008 campaign at the Georgia Southern Tournament August 29-30. 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-