Tournament Page
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Preseason is officially over for North Florida volleyball as the Ospreys embark on the 2016 campaign with the FAU Invitational beginning on Friday. UNF will play two new opponents in Drake and Northeastern, while also facing off with the familiar foes of FAU and Bethune-Cookman.
Schedule
Quick Hits
Head Coach
Steve Loeswick enters his fifth-year at the helm of the UNF program. He is also the Director of Volleyball as he oversees the beach program with Sam Dabbs. A new face,
Skylar Lopas, will grace the sidelines as an assistant coach.
Opponent Thoughts with Coach
"Playing four matches in a weekend is never easy and it is an extra challenge with playing Drake and Northeastern because we just don't know much about them. We have to play our game. In the past FAU has been a very competitive match and should be again this year."
Loeswick's Preseason Note
"Our returners are excited to play another team on the other side of the net. This preseason has been unique as we are asking some of our players to move into roles that they haven't been in in the past. They have been very receptive and understand that it is the best thing for the program."
The Ospreys return first-team All-Atlantic Sun selection senior
Carina Hoff who was third in the league in attack percentage in 2015. Hoff and junior
Courtney Miller both earned preseason accolades from the ASUN coaches.
Get Fired Up
If you are looking for excitement and energy – look at
Katarina Raicevic and
Erin Edwards. Both bring energy and excitement to the Osprey side of the net.
By Position
Middle Blockers
Seniors
Morgan Van Alstine and
Erin Edwards plus newcomer
Taryn Griffey will work on the block through the season. Van Alstine currently ranks sixth in the Osprey record book with 302 blocks. She needs just 14 stops to move into the top four in the rankings.
"Morgan and Erin have been training hard and have been doing a good job at the net," said Loeswick. "Taryn has the ability to compete, but she is up against the two seniors for playing time."
Outside Hitters/Right Side
Hoff, Miller,
Katarina Raicevic and freshman
Gabby O'Connell make up much of the offense for UNF. O'Connell finished her career at PK Yonge with 1,090 kills and 162 aces and was an AAU All-American as a junior.
"Gabby has had a great preseason and now she is going to have to keep it going," said coach Loeswick. "She has a good chance of seeing a lot of time on the floor this year."
Setters
Junior
Carinne Turner returns, while transfers
Madilyn McCarty and
Sadie Thurston join the roster.
McCarthy was named a Big South All-Freshman selection after recording a conference-best 1,229 assists and placed fourth among freshman in the NCAA in assists per game (10.59).
Turner recorded 439 helpers and had nine aces in 2015. "Carinne came in with a great attitude and so far has been the most consistent," said Loeswick. "I do feel confident that Madilyn and Sadie can come in and run our offense at any time. Madi is adjusting to our tempo of play and the locations we are asking her to set versus what Winthrop did."
DS/Libero
Senior
Kimberly Ferguson and sophomore
Ashley LaBorde will compete for time at libero. According to Loeswick, "both have strengths that will help our team and I think both of them will find time on the floor."
Looking Ahead
UNF continues its schedule on the road, but this time goes a little further from home. The Ospreys head to Texas to play in the Barcelona Labor Day Classic hosted by Houston Baptist on September 2-3.
