Volleyball Set to Wrap Up First Week of Practice
8/9/2018 2:43:00 PM | Volleyball
STATESBORO – Georgia Southern volleyball is in the process of wrapping up its first week of practice, a grueling couple of days to open the preseason. The Eagles reported to camp Sunday and had three sessions Monday and two on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
With nine newcomers on the roster and a chunk of them competing for starting roles, the focus throughout the week has been getting them acclimated to the system and the terminology.
"I think the biggest thing is getting the freshmen up to speed as best you can with the systems in what we do and how we do things, and I think our upper classmen have done a really good job of helping with that," said Georgia Southern coach Dustin Wood. "That's the biggest learning curve because they are basically thrown into the fire, and we have three weeks to get them ready for competition. Our coaching staff and players help that development along, and it's going probably quicker than I expected, which is a good thing."
Classes start Monday, and the Eagles will taper down to one practice a day next week with their sights set on a home exhibition match Aug. 16. The Eagles will host Anderson University from South Carolina at 6 p.m. in Hanner Fieldhouse, and admission is free. It's the second straight season the Eagles have had an exhibition contest on the schedule.
"It will allow us to see some different things with personnel so we can get ready for our opener against West Virginia," said Wood. "It gives us a good week to work on the things that we see we need to fix during the match and film afterwards."
GS returns four starters, including Preseason All-Sun Belt middle Lauren Reichard, and 12 letterwinners to the 2018 team. Anderson finished the 2017 season 28-5 overall and 19-1 in South Atlantic Conference and advanced to the NCAA Southeast Regional Semifinals.
The Eagles open the regular season at West Virginia August 24-25, where they face Wright State and UConn along with the host Mountaineers.
In order to generate added interest in Georgia Southern athletics and the volleyball program among its Savannah patrons, GS has moved its home opener against North Florida Sept. 4 to Alumni Arena on the University's Armstrong Campus. First serve is at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free.
"It's a great opportunity to play in front of our students and fans in Savannah," said Wood. "We're excited to show them what Georgia Southern volleyball is all about, and we hope to have a great atmosphere for the match and make it a tough environment for North Florida."
Season tickets for the Eagles' 12 home matches in Hanner Fieldhouse are $40, and single-match tickets are $5-8 and $3-5 for youth ages 4-12. Group tickets for groups of 15 or more are available for $3 each and must be purchased prior to game day.
With nine newcomers on the roster and a chunk of them competing for starting roles, the focus throughout the week has been getting them acclimated to the system and the terminology.
"I think the biggest thing is getting the freshmen up to speed as best you can with the systems in what we do and how we do things, and I think our upper classmen have done a really good job of helping with that," said Georgia Southern coach Dustin Wood. "That's the biggest learning curve because they are basically thrown into the fire, and we have three weeks to get them ready for competition. Our coaching staff and players help that development along, and it's going probably quicker than I expected, which is a good thing."
Classes start Monday, and the Eagles will taper down to one practice a day next week with their sights set on a home exhibition match Aug. 16. The Eagles will host Anderson University from South Carolina at 6 p.m. in Hanner Fieldhouse, and admission is free. It's the second straight season the Eagles have had an exhibition contest on the schedule.
"It will allow us to see some different things with personnel so we can get ready for our opener against West Virginia," said Wood. "It gives us a good week to work on the things that we see we need to fix during the match and film afterwards."
GS returns four starters, including Preseason All-Sun Belt middle Lauren Reichard, and 12 letterwinners to the 2018 team. Anderson finished the 2017 season 28-5 overall and 19-1 in South Atlantic Conference and advanced to the NCAA Southeast Regional Semifinals.
The Eagles open the regular season at West Virginia August 24-25, where they face Wright State and UConn along with the host Mountaineers.
In order to generate added interest in Georgia Southern athletics and the volleyball program among its Savannah patrons, GS has moved its home opener against North Florida Sept. 4 to Alumni Arena on the University's Armstrong Campus. First serve is at 6:30 p.m., and admission is free.
"It's a great opportunity to play in front of our students and fans in Savannah," said Wood. "We're excited to show them what Georgia Southern volleyball is all about, and we hope to have a great atmosphere for the match and make it a tough environment for North Florida."
Season tickets for the Eagles' 12 home matches in Hanner Fieldhouse are $40, and single-match tickets are $5-8 and $3-5 for youth ages 4-12. Group tickets for groups of 15 or more are available for $3 each and must be purchased prior to game day.
Players Mentioned
M
/ VolleyballGeorgia Southern Football Media Availability (12/15/25)
Monday, December 15
The GATA Zone - Episode 9 (Swimming and Diving)
Thursday, December 11
Clay Helton Media Availability: National Signing Day (12/3/25)
Thursday, December 04
Georgia Southern vs. Marshall Highlights (11/29/25)
Sunday, November 30
