March 28, 2011

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina’s volleyball team made large strides in grasping head coach Scott Swanson’s new systems and improving their play during their second non-competition season playing event at Wake Forest on Saturday.

The Gamecocks swept two sets from NC State, 25-16 and 25-22, while also knocking back James Madison, 25-14 and 25-18. South Carolina split against the host Demon Deacons, winning 25-22, before falling, 18-25. With some injuries rearing their head, the Gamecocks had a tough go against Appalachian State, dropping a pair of sets to end the day.

“The things we struggled at during the Duke event, we worked on all week,” said Swanson. “Our blocking was 200 percent better after we spent a lot of time during the week on our eye work. Our digging was better too because of the blocking.

Swanson also mentioned the team playing better in serve-receive as well as working more in a low-air system. “They all bought in during practice to this,” commented Swanson. “It’s great to know they are fast learners and want to do things the right way.