University of North Texas Athletics
Friday, August 24
Denton, TX
12:00 PM
University of North Texas
vs
Nicholls State
Volleyball Opens Season Friday Against Nicholls
8/23/2018 8:57:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
DENTON – Opening day. Perhaps the two best words in all of sports.
For Mean Green volleyball, it falls on Friday as the team prepares to host the eighth-annual North Texas Invitational. The Mean Green face Nicholls and Northeastern Friday at noon and 7 p.m., respectively, and wrap up tournament play against Kent State at 11 a.m. Saturday.
"I can't believe it's already here," sophomore outside hitter Valerie Valerian said. "I think we've prepared ourselves accordingly and we're excited to show everyone what we've got."
"We've been working all summer and going really hard in the last couple weeks of fall camp," senior middle blocker Jordyn Williams said. "We're ready for that work to pay off."
The slate gives North Texas an opportunity to continue building its cohesiveness as the team merges just six returning letterwinners and four returning starters with nine newcomers.
"This weekend's going to show us the holes that we need to fill, but it's also going to highlight some of the things we've been working on," Williams said. "We're all on the same page with our mission and this weekend is going to tell us what we need to work on to get there."
"Everything is about making sure they're playing at the level we want them to play at," head coach Andrew Palileo said. "The returners all had good preseasons and built on the momentum from last year. It's going to be crucial to bring everyone else up to speed and see how long we can play at a good level."
However, even with a lot of newcomers and a bevy of points to make up for, the team's mission is simple.
Defend the program's first-ever regular-season conference championship.
"All the new faces are going to add something to this team that no one's seen," Williams said.
"We have a really strong bond on the team and know it's just a matter of putting it toward a game," Valerian said. "We'll find out Friday."
Over the final six matches of North Texas' record-breaking season in 2017, Valerian averaged a team high 3.63 kills per set and 3.42 digs per set, recording a double-double in each of the team's C-USA Tournament matches and earning all-tournament honors.
"In that moment, I was truly playing with passion and a love for volleyball," Valerian said. "I can't wait to show that passion again and be there for my team."
Among the other returners are sophomore outside hitter and 2017 Conference USA Co-Player of the Year Barbara Teakell and senior setter Karley York, a first-team all-league selection and AVCA All-Region pick. Both student-athletes were named to the Preseason All-Conference USA team.
After being picked eighth in last year's preseason C-USA poll and going on to claim a share of the regular-season C-USA title, the Mean Green were picked to finish fourth in the conference in 2018 and earned one first-place vote.
For Mean Green volleyball, it falls on Friday as the team prepares to host the eighth-annual North Texas Invitational. The Mean Green face Nicholls and Northeastern Friday at noon and 7 p.m., respectively, and wrap up tournament play against Kent State at 11 a.m. Saturday.
"I can't believe it's already here," sophomore outside hitter Valerie Valerian said. "I think we've prepared ourselves accordingly and we're excited to show everyone what we've got."
"We've been working all summer and going really hard in the last couple weeks of fall camp," senior middle blocker Jordyn Williams said. "We're ready for that work to pay off."
The slate gives North Texas an opportunity to continue building its cohesiveness as the team merges just six returning letterwinners and four returning starters with nine newcomers.
"This weekend's going to show us the holes that we need to fill, but it's also going to highlight some of the things we've been working on," Williams said. "We're all on the same page with our mission and this weekend is going to tell us what we need to work on to get there."
"Everything is about making sure they're playing at the level we want them to play at," head coach Andrew Palileo said. "The returners all had good preseasons and built on the momentum from last year. It's going to be crucial to bring everyone else up to speed and see how long we can play at a good level."
However, even with a lot of newcomers and a bevy of points to make up for, the team's mission is simple.
Defend the program's first-ever regular-season conference championship.
"All the new faces are going to add something to this team that no one's seen," Williams said.
"We have a really strong bond on the team and know it's just a matter of putting it toward a game," Valerian said. "We'll find out Friday."
Over the final six matches of North Texas' record-breaking season in 2017, Valerian averaged a team high 3.63 kills per set and 3.42 digs per set, recording a double-double in each of the team's C-USA Tournament matches and earning all-tournament honors.
"In that moment, I was truly playing with passion and a love for volleyball," Valerian said. "I can't wait to show that passion again and be there for my team."
Among the other returners are sophomore outside hitter and 2017 Conference USA Co-Player of the Year Barbara Teakell and senior setter Karley York, a first-team all-league selection and AVCA All-Region pick. Both student-athletes were named to the Preseason All-Conference USA team.
After being picked eighth in last year's preseason C-USA poll and going on to claim a share of the regular-season C-USA title, the Mean Green were picked to finish fourth in the conference in 2018 and earned one first-place vote.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
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