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JACKSON --
The Millsaps volleyball team opens up the 2006-07 season of athletics
this weekend in Atlanta, Ga., when the Majors compete in the
Oglethorpe Tournament hosted by conference foe, Oglethorpe University.
The Majors face Guilford in Saturday’s 11 a.m. tournament opener,
followed by a 3 p.m. match-up with Agnes Scott. Millsaps concludes
the weekend tourney on Sunday with Dallas (11 a.m.) and North Central
College (Ill.) at 3 p.m.
“We’ll have positive, upbeat practices heading into the weekend,” second
year head coach Matt Linebarger said. “We’re a lot further
along in preseason this year than we were last year. We just have
to bring it all together and feel comfortable on the court. I expect
us to work extremely hard and hopefully we’ll come back with
a few wins.”
The Majors got off to a rough start in 2005, dropping seven of their
first eight games, before rallying to win 10-of-12 en route to finishing
15-19 (8-10 SCAC) overall.
“To be on the road as much as we were last year, that is
quite commendable,” Linebarger
said.
Millsaps held its own against Division III opponents last season,
posting a 15-13 overall record. Six of the Majors losses came against
Division I and NAIA opponents last season, all of which award athletic
scholarships.
The Majors return six letter winners from a year ago and introduce
six fresh, new faces. “We look forward to a lot of production
out of our returners,” Linebarger said. “We also expect
some of the freshmen to make an immediate impact.”
Two of those explosive, freshmen players are outside hitter Sam Hill
and setter, Sally McCann. Hill is a product of Oak Mountain High
School in Birmingham, Ala., and will help the Majors right away.
Hill stands at 5-foot-8 and is a very athletic, versatile player
who can jump out of the gym. McCann is a 5-foot-9 setter who hales
from the top volleyball club in Florida, the Orlando Volleyball Academy.
Also returning for her sophomore season after sitting out the 2005
campaign due to illness, is the only Mississippi born and raised
student-athlete to play women’s volleyball at Millsaps College,
Toni Manley.
The Majors lineup is very unique, with eight different states represented
on the 12-player roster. “If you maintain your relationships
and stay persistent, you can sell the College and the volleyball
program,” Linebarger said.
After a weekend long road swing to Atlanta, the Majors get the chance
to host a tournament of their own, with the Millsaps Invitational
scheduled for Sept. 8-9 at the Hangar Dome in the HAC. The tournament
is highlighted by a Sept. 8 showdown with cross-town rival, Mississippi
College which is slated for “Purple Pride Night.”
Volleyball fans will be treated to 13 home matches this season, with
Sept. 26 (Belhaven) and Oct. 12 (Alcorn State) scheduled for “PAC
the HAC” nights. The home schedule concludes with senior night
on Oct. 13 against Wesley College.
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