Volleyball Begins Practice With Full Team :: 14 players have Bulldogs ready to attack

Aug. 13, 2001

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford volleyball team began practice for the 2001 season Monday at Seibert Hall already in better shape than it did in 2000. The Bulldogs have 14 players on this year's roster compared to having only 10 players a year ago.

Junior setter Colleen Donivan summed up the day after one drill by saying, "Let me just tell you, we have two really good teams out here."

The 2000 season was a struggle for the Bulldogs coaches just planning practice. But with a full squad showing up on Monday, third year head coach Vickie Nichols has plenty to be excited about for the upcoming year. "I am pleased with the first day," said Nichols. "This is the most athletic team we have had since I have been here. It's exciting to see the returners and the newcomers play together for the first time."

The Bulldogs went 14-16 in 2000, but are looking to show that they are ready to improve. Samford was picked in a tie for fifth place by the Atlantic Sun head coaches in their preseason poll last week.

Samford returns all six starters from a year ago including first team All-TAAC selection Whitney Miller. Five newcomers got to see their first college action on Monday and the Bulldogs saw the return of red-shirt sophomore Abby Miner who sat out the 2000 season after being named to the TAAC All-freshmen team in 1999.

Samford will continue two-a-days until the beginning of classes of Aug. 27. The Bulldogs will open the season at the Rice University Invitational on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.