FLORENCE, Ala. (August 18, 2023) – With classes starting on campus for the fall semester, the University of North Alabama volleyball team continues to dial in as the Lions prepare for the upcoming season with two weeks of practice in the books.
Speaking on the results of the recent practices, head coach Tristan Johnson spoke positively on the development of his team, including how much of an impact the new players have made so far and returners showing veteran leadership in their preparation for the season.
"Just really excited about the players we have in the gym," said Johnson. "The seven new players we were able to bring in — the five freshman and two transfers — have really made a big impact already. The girls that have returned did a tremendous job with preparing themselves in the spring in preparing themselves and getting better, so it's been a very competitive atmosphere."
The seven new players will be key in exceeding expectations for the season, as the team was picked to finish 10th in the conference in the recent preseason coaches' poll that was released at 10 a.m. Friday morning.
The general vibe within the program has been positive, and one highlight of that is junior Elif Ozsoy winning the Atlantic Sun Setter of the Year Fan Vote on social media this week.
The first test for North Alabama Volleyball will come tomorrow as they will travel to Tuscaloosa for an exhibition match against the University of Alabama at 4 p.m. It'll be a homecoming for Coach Johnson as he returns to his alma mater after spending four combined seasons in assistant capacities with the Crimson Tide.
The exhibition will also be a homecoming of sorts for graduate middle blocker Maggie Sullivan, who is from Tuscaloosa. This past Monday, Sullivan and fellow graduate middle blocker Anna Kathrine Griggs represented UNA Volleyball at the 2023 UNA Fall Sports Media Day inside Stricklin Hotel in downtown Florence.
"We're very excited about that," said Johnson, speaking on the upcoming match. "It's a return home for Maggie Sullivan, and it's going back to a place that I've coached before in my alma mater. We're really excited about the opportunity to compete against somebody across the net other than ourselves."
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
