University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
Black & Gold Scrimmage
Volleyball prepares to launch 2023 season with Black & Gold Scrimmage
8/18/2023 4:17:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss.- Southern Miss Volleyball will showcase its team for the upcoming season on Saturday at 1 p.m. with the annual Black & Gold Scrimmage at the Wellness Center.
Second-year Head Coach Jenny Hazelwood looks to build on the success of her debut in which she became the winningest first-year coach in program history. The Golden Eagles posted a 21-12 (10-6 SBC) record with a NIVC Final Four Run last season.
"We're really excited about where we are at right now. I don't expect us to be at our best at the Black & Gold scrimmage, but we are trying to build and get better and better," Hazelwood said.
The Golden Eagles introduce a fair share of eight newcomers to its 2023 roster, but also return nine players who have continued to improve their craft this offseason.
"We have a good amount of experience in returners that are continuing to make a huge impact," Hazelwood said. "They did that last year and they're continuing to get even better."
The trio of juniors Mia Wesley, Cara Atkinson and Megan Harris picked up preseason Sun Belt honors for the upcoming season after shining in 2022. Wesley and Atkinson were named to the preseason All-Sun Belt team, while Harris earned the Preseason Libero of the Year award after her breakout season.
Wesley and Atkinson bring their high level of experience back to the team's offensive production, registering a combined 898 kills last season and accounting for over half of the team's total points scored.
Harris emerged to the scene with the Black & Gold as one of the conference's best liberos, posting a conference-high 256 digs in league play and a total of 554 digs on the season.Â
The Golden Eagles also return sophomores Kallie Siebrasse, Cailin Demps and Ella Voorhees, who each gained experience in their debut seasons. Demps finished as one of the team's leading attackers, recording 192 kills in a total of 30 appearances.
Juniors Izzy Kronenberg, Reagan Leinen and Ari Barksdale are also set to contribute important roles on the floor after each setting career-highs in kills last season.
And Tulsa transfer Aysu Dalogullari brings more experience with her career totals of 330 kills and 495 digs.
Freshmen Maggie Sewell, Franky Panunzio, Torrey Tkach, Lillie Johnson, Mara Schmidt, Sadie McAda and Hayden Riddle look to build their roles at Southern Miss, adding a variety of talent to the roster.
The Black & Gold scrimmage will be an opportunity for the team to showcase its growth in both returning and emerging talents.
"The scrimmage is going to be a lot of fun. We have a a lot of competitive athletes…and it's really nice to see that competing is just fun for them," Hazelwood said. "They compete in every little thing we do, even if it is not a competition. We just have a really great group of not only players, but everyone around the program all going in the same direction and wanting to do a lot of big things this season."
The Golden Eagles will open its regular season schedule with two series on the road before returning home to the Golden Eagle Classic on Sept. 8-9.
Tickets are still available for the 2023 season this fall. Fans can purchase tickets at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visit the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office on campus weekdays during normal business hours.
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