Volleyball Set For Friday Scrimmage

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - With just under a week of preseason practice under their belt, William & Mary volleyball will have an opportunity to test their progress in a scrimmage against instate-rival VCU this Friday afternoon. Action from Kaplan Arena will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Exciting Times
Head coach Tim Doyle cannot wait to begin his second year at the helm for the Tribe, "I'm beyond excited," said Doyle. "This is the best time of the year due to everyone's energy. The newcomers are all excited to get started, the returners are ready for a fresh start and lead a new era, and the coaches are ready to put plans into action. It's eat, sleep, and volleyball, so for that reason it's my favorite time of the year."

Youth Movement
The Tribe will sport a young roster, the core of which is made up of six true freshmen and five sophomores. Julia Brown and Kate Dedrick return as juniors, and setter Autumn Brenner is the team's lone senior.
"With a young core, we're building for the long run and wellbeing of the program," said Doyle. "Our practices and this scrimmage are critical to onboarding the freshmen, teaching them our systems and strategies, and cementing unit cohesion. Having them on campus to train throughout July was crucial, helping us get over the 'getting to know you' period, familiarizing them with campus, and getting in shape for pre-season."

Fresh Faces
Liberos Anna Porter and Gabi Ganley, middle blockers Shiyanna McLeod and Kaitlyn Ferguson, setter Kate Van Houten, and outside hitter Sydney Taylor will all make their collegiate debuts Friday evening.

Familiar Foes
The scrimmage will be a reunion of sorts as Doyle and first year Tribe assistant coach David Nguyen coached under Rams' head coach Jody Rogers before coming to Williamsburg. Green and gold assistant Janelle Sykes was a star middle blocker under Rogers and still holds a place in the VCU record books for blocks, blocks per set, and hitting percentage.

Other Info
Admission to all Tribe volleyball matches is free. For more news and information visit @WMTribeWB on Twitter.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#5/C Autumn Brenner: S; 5' 8"; Senior; Metro Volleyball Club

#3/C Julia Brown: MB; 6' 2"; Junior; Club Fusion

#8 Kate Dedrick: OPP; 6' 2"; Junior; Skyline Juniors

#19 Sydney Taylor: OH; 6' 0"; Freshman; USANY

#2 Kate Van Houten: S; 5' 9"; Freshman; Aspire Volleyball Club

#10 Anna Porter: L; 5' 8"; Freshman; Tsunami Volleyball

#16 Gabi Ganley: L; 5' 4"; Freshman; VA Juniors Volleyball Club

#23 Kaitlyn Ferguson: MB; 6' 0"; Freshman; Tampa United Volleyball Academy

Players Mentioned

#5/C Autumn Brenner
: 5' 8"; Senior; Metro Volleyball Club
: S

#3/C Julia Brown
: 6' 2"; Junior; Club Fusion
: MB

#8 Kate Dedrick
: 6' 2"; Junior; Skyline Juniors
: OPP

#19 Sydney Taylor
: 6' 0"; Freshman; USANY
: OH

#2 Kate Van Houten
: 5' 9"; Freshman; Aspire Volleyball Club
: S

#10 Anna Porter
: 5' 8"; Freshman; Tsunami Volleyball
: L

#16 Gabi Ganley
: 5' 4"; Freshman; VA Juniors Volleyball Club
: L

#23 Kaitlyn Ferguson
: 6' 0"; Freshman; Tampa United Volleyball Academy
: MB