Georgia Tech volleyball prepares for new season

By E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

Coming into the 2014 season, the Georgia Tech volleyball team embarks on a new era with new coach Michelle Collier, who comes to Atlanta after a successful two-year tenure at Jacksonville University, leading the Dolphins to a 30-win  campaign last season and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

“This is a bigger challenge for my career,” Collier said in reference to what attracted her to the Yellow Jackets’ program and the Atlantic Coast Conference. “Georgia Tech has a lot of history and an established program in one of the best conferences in the country. Professionally it was a no-brainer and when you put together Atlanta and everything it has to offer me and my family, it was an easy yes.”

The Yellow Jackets are hoping for a turnaround after winning 12 contests last year.. “The offseason has been great and we’ve been able to get in our vision for how we’re going to train and our system,” said Collier. “The girls were open-minded and brought into everything we’re bringing in as a staff.”

The returning players have noticed the chances throughout the summer. “Everyone is adjusting well to the new coaching staff and enjoying it,” sophomore libero London Ackermann said. “The way that we practice and are coached is faster than we’re used to. Our ball control will be a lot better and the attitude of the team will be more positive.”

Offensively, the Yellow Jackets lost their top three attackers statistically but return several top contributors from last year. Sophomore middle blocker Annika Van Gunst had 121 kills last season along with 242 digs, which were the second-most on the team. Senior outside hitter Courtney Felinski notched 156 kills for Georgia Tech as well.

“It’s helpful to have experience returning with Annika and Courtney providing leadership to our younger players,” Collier said. Sophomore Teegan Van Gunst and freshman Ashley Askin have also impressed the coaching staff from the outside hitter position in preseason training.

Georgia Tech has an inexperienced group in the middle position as the lone returners, senior Astaan Horton and sophomore Lauren Pitz, played only five combined matches last season. Freshman Sydney Wilson will also be in the rotation. “They’ve done a great job and have a big challenge ahead of them,” said Collier. “The players have embraced what we’ve asked of them and the work ethic has been great.”

The defensive libero position will be rotated between junior Wimberly Wilson and sophomore Ackermann who had a team-high 391 digs last year. “No one has their role locked locked in,” Ackermann said. “Preseason is all about competing for your spot. I hope to get that jersey.”

The Yellow Jackets’ roster is one of the youngest in the ACC, with only two seniors and two sophomores, making an immediate impact on the team a reality. “That’s one of the reasons they came to Georgia Tech,” Collier said. “They’re working hard to bring the program back to where it was. That drives everyone to do better.”

Ackermann adds that “a lot of people look at it as a bad thing but I think its awesome because we’re growing up together and getting to know the game.”

On a successful season, Collier said that “we’ll have to be disciplined with our work ethic.” She added that “everyday is going to be a day to get better and we’ll have to focus on that.”

Georgia Tech opens the season this Friday against Jacksonville at the Gamecock Invitational in Columbia, S.C.