New Orleans Beach Volleyball Voted Fourth in Preseason Poll; Four Privateers Named Players to Watch

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The University of New Orleans Beach Volleyball Program was voted fourth in the Southland Conference preseason poll the league announced Friday afternoon.

New Orleans tied for fourth with San José State in the poll with 34 points each. The Southland will feature seven teams competing for the beach volleyball title this season.

Last season, In her first year as Head Coach, Amy Blanke led the #3 seeded Privateers to the semifinal round of the conference championship tournament in Houston.

While the Privateers will see at least one conference member at each tournament this season, the majority of conference play will take place at the mid-season invitational in Houston on March 11-12, with all seven teams participating.

"I'm extremely excited for this season. We have a very experienced team this year. With having six seniors and this being their last year of playing, they have really switched it on," said Blanke. 

"In the past years I've felt good about our team, but this year I just feel like there is change in the air, a shift in their mindset. They really want it and are determined to finally do what we've fallen short to do in the past. Win the conference and go to nationals."

Four Privateers were also announced as players to watch for the upcoming season

Ania Esarte, Sr., Madrid, Spain –  Esarte is the 2022 Southland Newcomer of the year, half of the 2022 Southland Conference Pair of the Year, and a 2022 first team all-conference honoree. Esarte posted a 27-6 record with her former partner to include wins over LSU (ranked No. 5 at the time), Tulane (ranked No. 21 at the time), and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Last year was Esarte's first season at UNO.

Trinity Jackson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Lewis Palmer HS) - Jackson landed a 2022 SLC first team all-conference honor going 23-12 last season at court three alongside Alexa Spartz. She is 35-21 all-time in the sand.

Maria Ozeata, Fr., Spain - Maria Ozeata comes to UNO from Spain where she competed in the 2022 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour as part of the Spain national team. Ozeata is also a former partner of Esarte's.

Alexa Spartz, Sr., Glendale, Ariz. (Sandra Day O'Connor HS) - Spartz is a crafty player with sharp decision-making skills. Spartz and Trinity Jackson went 23-12 last spring at court three with major wins over Tulane and LSU at court three. She rounded out the season making the first team all-conference and first team all-academic team. She also represented UNO at the inaugural American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Pairs Championship. Spartz has a 47-44 overall record.

The Privateers will hit the sand next Saturday at the Tulane Green Wave Invitational February 25-26 at White Sands Volleyball Courts.

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