Volleyball Preview: Veteran Group Looks to Turn the Corner
South Carolina volleyball will be tested early and often in 2024, and that’s just fine with head coach Tom Mendoza, who is looking for the program to turn the corner this season. After missing the postseason last year, the Gamecocks have a veteran group that should be well-equipped to handle the challenges ahead.
“Our strengths are that we return a lot of experience,” said Mendoza, who has led the Gamecocks to three NCAA Tournaments in his previous six seasons at the helm. “It’s an older group and when you have a group that knows each other well, it’s time to see what we can achieve. We have familiar faces in Riley Whitesides and Ellie Ruprich in their fifth year, and Oby Anadi and Morgan Carter are in their fourth year. With all that experience, hopefully we can put it all together. Alayna Johnson is another one. She is in her junior year and has a lot of experience, and she was our best player a lot of days last spring. She was limited a little bit by an injury, so hopefully we can keep her healthy.”
Mendoza used the transfer portal in the offseason to complement a strong freshman class.
“Sarah Jordan transferred (Towson Univ.) in last semester and had a good spring for us,” Mendoza said. “She was trying to get up to speed and build those relationships with the other players and did a great job with that. Sarah is one that is going to make an immediate impact. She can take on a leadership role. We have other people that have had that experience, whether it’s Ellie or Riley, and then Oby, who is the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C). That kind of leadership can translate to the court.
“It’s time for this group to take that next step, but I think they’re motivated and ready to do it.”
“We added Anna Wilson from High Point. You never know what that learning curve is going to be, but we’re going to try to get her up to speed quickly so she can help us quite a bit as well.
“(Freshman) Victoria Harris has a really good work ethic and is capable of being a really special player. The sky is the limit for her.”
The Gamecocks went 11-16 overall last season, and they will be challenged in their season opener at a tournament hosted by Duke which includes Kansas, who was a NCAA Tournament team last year, defending Patriot League Champion Colgate, as well as the Blue Devils to wrap up the three-day event. The SEC slate will get even more competitive with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the league.
“We’ve always played a tough non-conference schedule,” Mendoza said. “We want to build our resume early. It’s about consistency, especially on the road. The last two years, this group has done a lot of learning. Hopefully, they know the ropes now. They know what it takes to be successful at this level. Our home record has been really good. Now you have to go on the road and expect to win games against good teams.
“I think the SEC is the best conference for volleyball in the country. We’re going to be tested. If you can keep yourself in the top half of the conference, you have a chance to get an at-large bid. That’s our goal, and I think we’re capable of it.
“It’s time for this group to take that next step, but I think they’re motivated and ready to do it.”
Check out the full schedule for South Carolina Volleyball here.
