Reno, Nev. - The University of Nevada volleyball team under the direction of 12th year head coach Devin Scruggs begins practice for the 2008 season on Saturday. The players report on Friday with the first practice scheduled for Saturday morning and the team will hold a scrimmage on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. The Wolf Pack open the season at the Shamrock Invitational hosted by Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. The Pack will square off against Valparaiso, Notre Dame and IPFW during the three day event.
The 2008 squad returns seven letter winners of which all earned at least one start last season for a team that went 16-11 and 10-6 in Western Athletic Conference play last fall to finish fourth. Heading the list of returners is sophomore middle blocker Lindsay Baldwin who led the WAC in blocking and was named to the WAC Freshman team. The lone senior on the squad for this season is Allison Hernandez who is scheduled to make the move from libero to outside hitter in her final season. Juniors Sonnie Sei, Lauren Kelly and Jorgan Staker will battle for starting spots this season. In addition to Baldwin returning sophomores Kyle Harrington and Nicole Link will again see quality time this season and possible earn starting spots. After redshirting last season Brittni Yates will get an opportunity to show her talents this season as a middle blocker. Transfer Jessica Daum practiced with the team in the spring and will seek time at outside hitter and defensive specialist. The talented freshman class of Erin Garvey, Tatiana Santiago, Taylor Brown and Kylee Vance will all press the veterans in their first year in the program.
