ROCK HILL, SC – The second season of the Bruce Atkinson era for Winthrop volleyball kicks off this weekend as the Eagles head to Colorado Springs, CO to participate in the highly-competitive Falcon Classic hosted by Air Force.
Winthrop will compete in four matches over two days against Rutgers, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, California and the host Falcons.
Last year Atkinson was saddled with teaching his up-tempo offense to a host of new players and success was sporadic. This year, the Eagles return eight from Atkinson's inaugural season who are prepared for the offensive attack.
"We run a very high-risk offense," Atkinson said. "This year we hope to be able to run this tempo more often as our returners are much more familiar with the system."
Winthrop returns two of its top three hitters from last year in Alina Sopizhuk and Rachel Lenz, finishing with 319 and 316 kills respectively. The Eagles also welcome back setter Jessie Vicic who set the Big South single-season assists record last year with 1,355.
Sophomore Emma Weakland played in only 31 sets last year, but Atkinson believes she is primed for a breakout season in 2014.
"Emma's power has steadily increased over the last year," Atkinson said. "She fits well with our offense, has a quick arm and gets off the ground quickly."
Atkinson believes that newcomer Nikki Drost, an outside hitter from Henderson, NV, will see quality playing time this season as a freshman as she was able to quickly take to the power offense due to her athleticism.
Defensively, the Eagles return sophomore libero Maria Volstad. Atkinson has been impressed with her improved skills on the court and her leadership abilities.
"Maria has become much more consistent in her serve-receive abilities," Atkinson said. "She also become much more vocal on the court and has started taking control of the defense."
Newcomers Keaupono Fey and Raveen Golston are also expected to make an impact with the Winthrop defensive sets.
Golston joined the Eagles from the successful junior college program of the College of Central Florida and is a native of Columbia, SC.
"Raveen will play as both an outside hitter and defensive specialist," Atkinson said. "She is the most aggressive and athletic of all of our defenders and demands people's attention on the block. She also has the ability to stay on the court through each of our rotations."
Winthrop was voted to finish fifth in the Big South preseason poll after finishing sixth in the conference last season and Atkinson sees his 2014 squad with the ability to do much better.
"It wasn't too surprising to see us predicted to finish fifth because until you prove your abilities on the court you won't get additional respect," Atkinson said.
The abilities of the Eagles will be tested with the opening tournament at Air Force and throughout the team's non-conference schedule.
Following the Air Force Tournament, the Eagles will head to Charlotte Tuesday before hosting the Carolina Challenge with Furman, South Carolina and Clemson. Winthrop's last two non-conference tournaments at Auburn and Wake Forest will continue to test the young squad.
"We've put together a non-conference schedule that will best prepare this team for the conference slate," Atkinson said. "Our players need to recognize what level we are currently at and what it takes to compete with teams at a national level."
