August 10, 2001
The 2001 Texas A&M volleyball team took to the court at G. Rollie White Coliseum for the first time Friday with two three-hour practices which also included jump testing and conditioning.
"I could definitely sense the adrenaline and excitement the players have for the season to finally be here," A&M coach Laurie Corbelli said. "They want big things this season and they remind me of the 1999 Elite Eight squad in terms of experience, athleticism and determination."
The Aggies, who are picked to finish second in the Big 12 behind defending conference and national champion Nebraska, return six starters, including all-Central Region and all-Big 12 selections Jenna Moscovic (5-11, setter, Stockton, Calif.) and Erin Lechler (5-11, outside hitter, Houston, Texas). Corbelli also returns five other letterwinners from last year’s team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament and finished the season ranked No. 23 in the final Top 25 Poll with a 20-9 record.
"It is fun to return so many experienced players," Corbelli said. "We have a lot of powerful attackers and it is much more enjoyable to have a lot more to work with. We know where we can start to build, and the team knows that we expect a lot from them."
Corbelli also welcomed a heralded group of freshmen, including high school All-Americans Lexy Beers (5-9, setter, Manhattan Beach, Calif.) and Carrie Moreira (5-11, middle blocker, Stockton, Calif.) Although freshmen middle blockers Kendra Felder (6-1, Corpus Christi, Texas) and Melissa Munsch (6-2, Columbus, Texas) did not receive the same national notoriety, they also are expected to contend for significant playing time as Corbelli looks to fill the vacancy left by Heather Marshall, an all-Big 12 honorable mention selection as a senior last year.
"The freshmen are bringing in more power and speed," Corbelli said about her recruiting class that was ranked 10th in the nation by Volleyball Magazine. "Beers and Moreira deserved the recognition, but Munsch and Felder are going to surprise a lot of people because they have improved so much over the year and they are so physical.
"The change that Munsch has made is greater than any other player I have ever had. She is much more dynamic and is opening everybody’s eyes. And with six middle blockers vying for playing time, she and the other freshmen will make the competition even better."
Two-a-days are scheduled for 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. most days and will continue through August 25. Practices are open to the public.
The Aggies kick off the 2001 schedule against Samford on August 31 at the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational in Houston. They also will face Houston, Stephen F. Austin and host Rice in the two-day, round-robin tournament before returning to G. Rollie for their season home opener against Texas-San Antonio on September 4.
A&M also is slated to host perennial powerhouse Stanford, as well as highly respected Florida State, in the Verizon Texas A&M Invitational on September 7-8 before beginning Big 12 play at Oklahoma on September 12.