March 5, 2013

OXFORD, Miss. – The 2013 season doesn’t begin for another five months, but the Ole Miss volleyball team has been putting in work bright and early each day for the last week for the upcoming spring season.

Ole Miss will play several matches during the spring season, and with one week of practice in the books, Ole Miss volleyball head coach Joe Getzin liked what he saw from his team.

“We had a great week of practice. I saw a renewed enthusiasm in all the players and it was a productive week,” Getzin said. “The girls have shown they’ve worked hard in the weight room and they’re ready to set the standards high for what we can accomplish this spring.”

The Rebels worked from 6:30-9:00 a.m. each morning, and then went to the Starnes Athletic Training Center to work with Jami Clinton, coordinator of Olympic sports strength and conditioning.

Nakeyta Clair and Kara Morgan, who recently finished competing in the U.S. women’s volleyball open tryout in Colorado Springs, Colo., carried over their strong play to the first week of spring practices, but they weren’t the only ones.

“Nakeyta and Kara brought a high level of play with them from the A2 tryouts,” Getzin said. “Seini Moimoi has shown that she has worked hard over the break, and we saw a lot of progress out of our defensive specialists as well.”

Ole Miss focused on individual technical development last week, and will continue with that in week two. When the Rebels get back from spring break they will get more into the team system.

“The spring is a time we get to use as an opportunity to get everyone some playing experience,” Getzin said. “It lets them gain some valuable playing time, maybe out of position a little bit. We have quite a range in level of competition and it’s a little bit more low key than what regular matches are so we’ll get a lot of reps.”

Clair, Morgan Shine at U.S. Women’s Open Tryout

Nakeyta Clair and Kara Morgan went to Colorado Springs, Colo., focused and determined. They left with their heads held high.

Clair, a rising sophomore middle blocker, competed for a spot on the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team, and Morgan, a rising senior outside hitter, went for a spot on the U.S. Women’s National A2 Program. With Ole Miss volleyball head coach Joe Getzin looking on, the two Rebel stars shined at Sports Center II at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

“Kara probably played the best I have seen her play in her career at Ole Miss,” Getzin said. “It was great to see her mature as a player out there. I was very proud of Nakeyta and how she performed at the tryouts. She really held her own throughout the tryouts.”

Getzin is now hoping the rising sophomore and senior will bring that level of play with them to Oxford, and if the first week of spring practice is any indication, his hope is coming to fruition.

“Any time you can participate in an experience like that, it opens your eyes to what you’re capable of doing because you’re surrounded by such talented players,” Getzin said.

The Rebels open their fall season Aug. 30 at the George Washington Invitational in Washington, D.C.

For all Ole Miss volleyball news and information, go to OleMissSports.com and follow the Rebels on Twitter at @OleMissVB and on Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball.