Aug. 15, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Preseason practice is underway and South Carolina volleyball took a break Sunday after concluding the first week of their two-a-days practice schedule. Head coach Nancy Somera and the team visited with fans at Fan Appreciation Day Sunday afternoon before returning to preseason practice Monday morning. Coach Somera is pleased with the progress the team continues to make, and is confident that the team will be match-ready come Sept. 2. The Gamecocks will travel to Tallahassee, Fla. for the Florida State Tournament and open the season against the University of Pittsburgh.

“I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made in our first week. A lot of teaching and learning is going on, and we’re developing some good chemistry,” said Somera. “We didn’t know what to expect after such a long break, but we are happy to see that they remember quite a bit that was taught this past spring. If we can continue to be as productive in practice once school starts this week, we should match-ready come Sept. 2.”

The Gamecocks will continue with two-a-days practices until school starts on Thursday. Then USC will go to a regular once-a-day practice schedule.

In order to fine tune what has been learned in practice, South Carolina will scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. at the Strom Thurmond Center. Warm-ups will begin at 9:30 a.m. The scrimmage is open to the public.