Monday, August 7, 2006
PC VOLLEYBALL REPORTS FOR PRESEASON
CLINTON, S.C. – The day that first-year head volleyball Chris Belshe has been waiting for has finally arrived… the day that he can finally meet his squad in person. Belshe welcomed the 2006 edition of the Presbyterian College volleyball team for the start of preseason on Monday.
Belshe stated, “First impressions over the phone are hard so it will be good to meet them in person and chat.” While the first official practice will be tomorrow morning at 8:45, Belshe will hold a team meeting this afternoon at 3 p.m.
Once the team reports to the Clinton, S.C. campus, Belshe will be reunited with sophomores Rachel Lewis (Bloomington, Ill.) and Justine Lanchester (Bloomington, Ill.) as well as Courtney Van Dusen, a junior transfer from Illinois Central College. He coached the trio when Lewis, Lanchester, and Van Dusen (Peoria, Ill.) were members of the Illini Elite Volleyball Club.
“I’m excited about getting everyone on campus and looking forward to starting,” explained Belshe.
Belshe stated, “We will build upon the program’s success in recent years.” With the start of the preseason today, the Lady Blue Hose begin preparations for defense of their 2005 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Championship as well as their SAC regular-season title. PC went undefeated (14-0) in conference play a year ago, finishing with a 32-5 overall record. The Lady Blue Hose also advanced to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional for the second year in a row.
Presbyterian will start the new campaign on Aug. 25-26 at the Converse College Invitational in Spartanburg, S.C. The Lady Blue Hose schedule will also feature their home and away matches versus SAC opponents and two other tournaments, including the Lady Hose Tournament on Oct. 13-14. With the 2006 season being PC’s last year in the SAC and as a NCAA Division II member, the squad will also face Division I opponents in Charleston Southern and Gardner-Webb to help with the transition to the Big South Conference and NCAA Division I.
“It surely will be different for the girls coming back but hopefully change will be good in getting them to step out of their comfort zone,” replied Belshe.