ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – The UCF volleyball team opened up its preseason camp with a pair of practices in the Venue. Following a summer of intense weight room workouts, Tuesday was the first chance for returners and newcomers to gel on the court.
The morning session featured ball control drills, while the afternoon focused on gamelike situations.
"It's so hard to judge anything after two practices," head coach Todd Dagenais said. "I liked the energy. I liked the passion. I liked the fact that they really enjoyed playing together. We did a lot of good things athletically. System wise, we're on day one, so there's only so much that we can do. Today was more of handling the ball, getting some basic system work in, doing some drills to get them familiar with being around each other in a setting where it's a little more intense than the open gyms that they had this summer. It's a good feeling. We walk out of here today feeling like we accomplished something and took one more step to where we want to be."
The Knights open the 2017 campaign on the road for the first nine matches, before returning home on Sept. 15 to face Virginia in the Holiday Inn Express UCF Challenge. Unanimous First Team All-American Athletic Conference selection Kia Bright returns for her redshirt senior season to lead the Knights alongside co-captain Taylor Wickey. Starting the year seventh on the career digs list, Jordan Pingel will anchor the back line for the Knights.
UCF has seven newcomers to the 2017 squad, including transfers Jiayi Zhang from LIU Brooklyn and Erin Olson from Bradley.
STAY SOCIAL
Ace ?? @alexandrafish3r #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/Cbw7NrC2Sm
— UCF Volleyball (@UCF_Volleyball) August 8, 2017
Practice is officially underway! ??#ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/vkLcPzkvDL
— UCF Volleyball (@UCF_Volleyball) August 8, 2017
Smooth offense by the upperclassmen! #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/6Aw27vS4dH
— UCF Volleyball (@UCF_Volleyball) August 8, 2017
. @JordanPingel4 already has that mid-season form in practice no. 1?? #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/y5aZi7hoIr
— UCF Volleyball (@UCF_Volleyball) August 8, 2017
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UCF Volleyball hits the court for its 10th season under head coach Todd Dagenais. Don't miss a single minute of action at The Venue. Visit UCFKnights.com or call (407) 823-1000 for ticket information.
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