NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers volleyball team will get their regular season going this weekend when they play in three matches in the Gamecock Classic at Jacksonville State on Friday. Those matches will set in motion the 2024 campaign that features 28 matches leading up to the Southland Tournament in November.
After enduring injuries at different points of the 2023 campaign, the Privateers finished last year on a higher note. Head Coach
Ashley Preston's squad won five of the last eight matches which included their first Southland tournament victory against UIW last November.
The Privateers brought back nine student-athletes from that 2023 squad and added seven student-athletes while fortifying depth at multiple positions.
"From the spring season it was great to have 11 players because that's the most we've had since I've been here," said Preston. "It was great to capitalize on what we executed toward the end of the season and built on that with our seven new players. We added more into what was working for us at the end of last season as well."
There are three setters and three liberos on the roster.
Vera Beltrame and
Defne Eciroglu return at the setter position while freshman,
Alexis Belarmino joins the fold.
Lani Alleman is the lone returning libero and she's accompanied by two incoming freshmen in
Dayla Ward and
Kaila Baker.
"Depth is so important in the setter and libero position. In some matches you can run a 6-2 if you need to. Having three setters is key from that perspective and having three liberos is important in case I need to put three in the back row, they can take on that role at any time."
Courtney Roundtree had a strong finish to last season and returns up front in the middle along with
Elani Ratchkovska and
Ava Kennon. Outside hitters,
Molly Kehoe,
Buse Kocakaya and
Ryan Williams also return from last season.
Newcomers up front include four transfers: two from the Division I level in
Jamiryana Hall and
Divine Muo and two junior college transfers in
Akeir Scales and
Jaedyn Newman. True freshman,
Chelsea Daffin also joins the squad this year.
"I wanted to bring in some key power hitters especially on the pins and the right side. Our hitters are also interchangeable. I also wanted six-rotation outsides so we could be more efficient on offense in the back row."
Coach Preston has a new staff of assistants as well. Former Privateer student-athlete,
Rita Zecchin has joined the staff and Teagan Symons joined the staff from her previous tenure as a junior high head coach at First Baptist Christian.
The Privateers won a scrimmage against Xavier (La.) 3-2 (25-22, 14-25, 17-25, 25-8, 15-13) that took place on Aug. 17. Daffin (11), Newman (11) and Roundtree (10) all landed in double figures in kills. As a team, the Privateers had 62 digs.
The first two weeks of the season will see the Privateers hit the road before opening their home schedule on Sept. 14 against Alcorn State. Southland play starts with a home match against Lamar on Sept. 28.
WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
Visit UNOPrivateers.com/signup to stay connected and follow us @UNOPrivateers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersVB on Twitter/X,
@PrivateersVB on Instagram, like
/PrivateersVB on Facebook and subscribe to the
PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
