2014 Volleyball Quick Facts (.PDF) | 2014 Volleyball Media Guide (.PDF)NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers volleyball team will open the 2014 campaign by traveling to Houston for the Texas Southern Tiger Invitational. The Privateers are one of four entrants in the tournament which begins on Friday, August 29.
It will also be the Privateers debut for
Millicent Van Norden who enters her first season at the helm and her 14th season of coaching.
"I am really excited to begin this season and even more excited to be the head coach at the University of New Orleans," said Van Norden. "This weekend is a big opportunity for us to improve and get better. Our practices have been very competitive and I am sure that the team is eager to play someone other than themselves."
New Orleans is hoping to garner the same success as their last trip to Texas Southern, which occurred in 2012. The Privateers won the Texas Southern Labor Day Opener that year, and two of the three opponents they defeated (Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M) are in this year's field. Grand Canyon, who made the transition to Division I in 2013 also joins the entry list.
The Privateers have several key returners including 2013 LSWA Newcomer of the Year,
Celeste Ramirez. A junior this season, Ramirez was the Privateers' main setter, registering 572 assists. This season under Van Norden, Ramirez is also slated to see some time at libero alongside fellow returner,
Lauren Levy.
Levy has racked up 660 total digs as the team's primary libero in her first two collegiate seasons. Now a junior, Levy has the 11th and 12th most digs per set of any Privateer in a season in school history. Assistant coach,
Jennifer Gandolph returns to the Privateers and was Levy's coach in high school at Chapelle.
Taylor Berry provides the most experience on the Privateers' front line. Berry led the team in blocks last season with 73 total (32 solo, 41 assist) and racked up 131 kills. Berry also contributed in the service game last season with 16 aces. Senior,
Kelsea Hundtoft leads all returners in kills from 2013, racking up 161 while starting in 30 of 31 matches.
The Privateers will also have several newcomers who will look to contribute.
Sara Hammoutene comes over from France and will spell Ramirez at setter.
Rondolyn Bryant is one of two newcomers from Louisiana and will see time in the middle of the front line. Bryant was a three-time first team All-District selection at McKinley High of Baton Rouge.
After opening the season at Texas Southern, the Privateers will return home for four consecutive matches in the first nine days of September. The home opener will be against Mississippi Valley State on Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. in the Human Performance Center.
WEEKEND SCHEDULEFriday, Aug. 29
New Orleans at Texas Southern 1 p.m.Prairie View A&M vs. Grand Canyon 3 p.m.
Texas Southern vs. Grand Canyon 5 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 30
New Orleans vs. Prairie View A&M 9 a.m.Texas Southern vs. Prairie View A&M 11 a.m.
New Orleans vs. Grand Canyon 1 p.m.
