Boston College Athletics
Volleyball Gears Up for Harvard Tournament
September 02, 2010 | Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2010
The Boston College volleyball team travels to Cambridge, Mass. this weekend to compete in the Harvard Tournament. The Eagles kick-off the tournament against New Hampshire on Friday, Sept. 2, at 5:30 p.m. and return to play Saturday against Eastern Illinois, at 3 p.m., and Harvard, at 8 p.m.
"I expect us to show some better things on the court this weekend," Eagles head coach Chris Campbell said. "Our hitting percentage should be higher and our attack errors should decrease. I have higher expectations for our serving, being more effective and committing fewer errors. We've been working at improving our game and I expect to see measurable improvement from the previous weekend."
New Hamphire (2-1) was picked to finish second in the America East Conference this season. The Wildcats are led by senior tri-captain Sara Heldmen. The current America East Setter of the Week led the Wildcats to a 3-1 over St. John's and 3-0 shutout against Fairleigh Dickinson last weekend.
"UNH has good players and they are well coached," Campbell stated. "It's going to be a challenge for us. Last weekend was a chance for a team with new players and a new coaching staff to establish a starting point. Now comes a bigger test. This weekend will show us how much we have grown and what we were able to improve upon in a week of practice. The past week is more realistic in terms of what it will be like throughout the course of the season; compete over the weekend, evaluate your position and use the week to work.
Both Eastern Illinois and Harvard will be opening the 2010 season this weekend.
"Opening weekends can be very emotional for both sides," Campbell said. "One side is eager to play and the other does not always know what they are going to be up against. There is no scouting tape on either team, so we haven't seen them play. Harvard is opening up at home, so we have to fight against their excitement to be in front of their own crowd."
Harvard is coming off a 12-13 season, where they finished at 8-6 in the Ivy League. The Crimson are led by junior outside hitter Anne Carroll Ingersoll. Ingersoll led the Crimson with 92 blocks and was second in kills (233) a year ago.
Eastern Illinois returns five starters from a squad that finished 11-20, 4-8 in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC), a year ago. The Panthers will be led by senior outside hitter and preseason All-OVC selection Alex Zwetter, who led the team with 369 kills in 2009.
Boston College's game versus Harvard will be available for live-streaming on the Harvard website.
