Aug. 10, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina volleyball team opened preseason camp on Saturday at the Volleyball Competition Facility, as head coach Scott Swanson was able to get a good look at all 17 Gamecocks in action.

The Gamecocks got right into playing during the opening practice to help the coaches get a better feel for each player and they will return for an afternoon session that will include ball control training and learning the systems. Swanson, who enters his third season at South Carolina, was pleased with the work his squad put in to get the season started.

“It’s a ton of teaching and learning,” Swanson said. “We have 11 new players on the team that need to know our system and what our sets are and how to play defense and block. In two-a-days, that’s what you do. You go through all the fundamentals and make sure they learn the system and hopefully they are ready to play by Aug. 30.”

South Carolina’s roster is made up of 10 freshmen, four sophomores, one junior and two seniors, with five of those being letterwinners from a year ago. Senior outside hitter Juliette Thévenin, a preseason All-SEC selection, returns to lead the way, while senior libero Lindsey Craft and sophomores Elizabeth Johnbull, Sarah Blomgren and Darian Dozier are back with experience in the Gamecock system. Transfers Kellie McNeil (Minnesota) and Michaela Christiaansen (Pepperdine) also bring experience to the program.

“I’m very excited about the progress and where we are headed,” Swanson said. “We have such an exciting and athletic group this year. They are young, but we are going to surprise some people with our athleticism.”

The Gamecocks have less than three weeks before their first match as they will host the Gamecock Invitational on Aug. 30-31 at the VCF to open the 2013 campaign. Fans will have their first chance to see the South Carolina in action on Aug. 24 in the Garnet & Black match at the VCF, which is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.

Season tickets for South Carolina’s home dates are now on sale. Adult season tickets are $25, while youth 17 and under can get their tickets for $10. For more information, contact the South Carolina Ticket Office at 800-4SC-FANS or visit the ticket office homepage here.