ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – For the last year, there have been a lot of firsts in the Eckerd Tritons volleyball program.
In 2009, the program enjoyed its first-ever national ranking, its first NCAA Tournament win, along with an inaugural All-America selection.
In 2010, seventh-year head coach Courtney Draper is experiencing another first: a team with no seniors.
The Tritons, who start the season this Friday at the Comfort Inn-Vitational in Pensacola, will no doubt be young. The squad consists of seven freshmen, four sophomores and three juniors.
However, they also have a lot of talent.
“We will be really balanced this year, and that’s not something we could really say about ourselves in the past,” said Draper, who graduated All-America hitter Lydee Benoit last year after the senior tallied a career-high 457 kills on nearly 1,200 attacks.
“In some ways, we will be tougher to defend. We’re going to be able to spread the offense out.”
The options are plenty. Setters Bri Smith (5.27 assists per set last year) and freshman Madison Burr have a handful of hitters who Draper says will make contributions.
Junior right side Ariana Chinn hit a team-high .281 last year and was second with 310 kills. She is joined by outside hitters Taylor Whaley (third in kills with 259) and middle blocker Olivia Fraser (80 kills in ’09).
The Tritons also have some bright newcomers, including freshman outside Lindsay Biggs.
Of course, with all the options – and the newcomers – it has made for some interesting preseason practices.
“We have a lot of new players who come from extremely solid club or great high school programs,” Draper said. “Since they are coming from different backgrounds, the focus has been getting everyone on the same page.
“What makes things better is this team is very coachable, and they get along really well.”
The youthful team will not have a lot of time for growing pains. The Tritons play five teams ranked in the AVCA Top 25 preseason poll in September, including non-conference matches against No. 4 Indianapolis, No. 12 Emporia State and No. 19 Pittsburg State.
Eckerd will make its home debut in its Sunshine State Conference opener against Tampa (ranked No. 3 overall) on Sept. 14.
“A difficult schedule like this is a ‘win-win’ for us,” Draper said. “We want to be a top 25 program, and the opportunity to play teams like that will prepare us for the strength of our league.”
Despite the youth, the goals are still set high for the Tritons, who are riding four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
“I think the goal used to be to get to the (NCAA) tournament,” Draper said. “I think it is more of an expectation for us now. The players that we do have back are used to it, and I don’t think they expect anything less.”