Record-breaking season expected from SMU Volleyball (Photo by Christina Parrish, The Daily Campus)
SMU volleyball is gearing up for its 2006 season, which officially begins this weekend with the SMU Radisson Hotel Invitational. Yesterday, the women played their annual Red and Blue scrimmage to help decide who will be starting this Friday. Opponents in the tournament include Prairie View A&M, Louisiana-Monroe and Auburn University. Head coach Lisa Seifert had only good things to say about this year’s team.
“This is the first year that top to bottom the girls are all on the same page and we’re having a blast,” she said. “Now we just pray the team stays healthy.”
The girls reinforced Seifert’s optimism during the scrimmage; loud cheers and high fives were exchanged all around on both teams. Junior Rachel Giubilato is expecting a record-breaking season.
“We’re all in good spirits. We’ve had almost three weeks of two-a-days so we’re ready to go,” said the outside hitter from San Diego, Calif. As far as her personal goals go, Giubilato hopes to become more of an asset to the team.
“I really want us to play well together. We’ve been doing well so far,” she said.
Adding to the excitement of the upcoming season, coach Seifert announced Saturday that senior Jennette Evanco and junior Caitlin Rainbird will captain the 2006 team.
This is Evanco’s second season as captain. The senior from San Diego, Calif., totaled 523 digs in the 2005 season, averaging 4.89 per game. She will return as a starter in the libero position. Rainbird, a native of Wimbley, Texas, managed to post 257 kills and 299 digs last season as an outside hitter before succumbing to a knee injury. Both girls are more than excited about being chosen to lead the team this year.
“It’s really flattering, it means they like you! We’re all coming in with a good attitude; we have high expectations, but we’re not letting it stress us out,” said Evanco.
The two captains have been playing together for the past three years and “flow really well together,” according to the senior.
Seifert agrees with the team’s choice of captains.
“This is a unique year,” she said, “we had six to eight girls who could have led the team. Jennette is definitely a floor leader, everyday, not just on game days. Caitlin is solid, mature and open-minded. She sees both sides of the ball.”
According to both coach Seifert and Rainbird, the 2005 knee injury will not be an issue this season.
“I’m completely recovered. I’ve been doing a lot of rehab, strength-training and yoga has helped a lot,” said Rainbird. The six-foot junior was a bit shocked upon receiving her captain position, but is looking forward to the opportunities it will create.
“I was excited and really honored. This year I hope to make the conference team and to be a good leader. I want people to be able to come talk to me so I can help them if they need it.”
SMU hosts the Radisson Hotel Invitational beginning Friday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.
