GARNET & BLACK SCRIMMAGE

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina volleyball program is holding its first open scrimmage of the 2018 season on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 4 p.m., with the annual Garnet and Black Scrimmage. The intra-squad match will be the first chance for fans to see the Gamecocks in action under first-year head coach Tom Mendoza, and admission is free at the Carolina Volleyball Center.

South Carolina returns all but two of its letter winners from 2017, and bringing back five starters plus its libero. All-SEC performer Mikayla Shields enters her junior season in striking range of 1,000 career kills, and will be bolstered by three other returners – Mikayla Robinson, Claire Edwards, and Alicia Starr – who went over 150 kills last season. Running the show in her third season is Courtney Koehler, who set the sophomore rally-scoring record for assists in a season in 2017 (with 1,123).

The team added key depth in the summer with six newcomers to the roster. Brittany McLean transferred to the program after two seasons at Big 10 power Minnesota, Addie Bryant signed late in the summer after two seasons at San Jacinto College in Texas, and four freshmen – Lauren Bowers, Kaely Ann Thompson, Amari Wilson and Courtney Weber – have already proven to be important pieces for the roster.

Season tickets are still available ahead of the Aug. 24 home opener, priced at $25 for adults and $10 for youth 17 and under.