Volleyball Ready to Start 2021 Season

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University volleyball team its ready to start its 2021 season, in the program's third season under head coach Travis Nead.

Coach Nead emphasizes competitiveness and team dynamics in his expectations for the season.

"Our goals this season are to compete in every game," said Nead. "We want to put ourselves in position to grow as a team with each game and practice."

Coker returns 11 players from a season ago, including Honorable Mention All-Conference selection Emily Everton. Nead expects the returners to step up as team leaders for the newcomers.

"This year we have a large group of returners who have played together for a few seasons now and understand the high expectations and goals for our program," said Nead. "I expect our returners to set our team mindset and lead our newcomers through their daily work and competition in practices."

The Cobras also add six fresh faces to the mix, who Nead expects to drive competition in practice and push the returning group to new heights.

"I'm excited about our newcomers this season," said Nead. "I feel like we have added a really good mix of athleticism and high volleyball IQ players who are going to fit right in with our returners very quickly. I can see them raising the level of play in our gym immediately which makes our whole team stronger."

Nead is pleased with how the returners and newcomers have come together overall.

"Our team has really been able to connect together quickly," said Nead. "This quick connection has been possible from our returners taking the initiative to reach out and build relationships off the court with all of our newcomers since everyone arrived on campus. It's been fun to see."

Coker opens the season on Sept. 7 hosting conference foe Wingate, before traveling to USC Aiken to face Converse and USC Aiken on Sept. 10 and Lander and Augusta on Sept. 11. The Cobras return home to face UNC Pembroke in a non-conference contest on Sept. 14. The Cobras then hit the road for a league road trip with stops at Lenoir-Rhyne (Sept. 17), Mars Hill (Sept. 18) and Limestone (Sept. 21). Coker returns home to conclude the month of September, hosting Catawba (Sept. 24) and Queens (N.C.) on Sept. 25. The Cobras open October with three consecutive road matches, traveling to Newberry (Oct. 1), Anderson (S.C.) (Oct. 2) and UNC Pembroke (Oct. 5). Coker then returns home for Homecoming weekend to host Carson-Newman (Oct. 8) and Lincoln Memorial (Oct. 9), before hosting Fayetteville State on Oct. 12. After hosting Limestone on Oct. 22 to wrap up the season series, the Cobras hit the road to Fayetteville State to wrap up the season series and wrap up October on Oct. 26. The Cobras open November at hone hosting Lenoir-Rhyne on Nov. 5 and Mars Hill on Nov. 6, before concluding the regular season on the road at Catawba (Nov. 10) and Queens (Nov. 13).

"In the SAC you have to bring your best every game," said Nead. "I believe our three-game road trip will be tough because we have not played at Limestone and that everyone is strong at home in our conference."

The Cobras open the season on Sept. 7 at home against Wingate in South Atlantic Conference play. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.