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SANFORD N.C. — Fans can expect fast-paced, fun-to-watch, scrappy play from this year’s ������Ƶ volleyball team, according to Head Coach Chandler Ellis. 

Ellis and Assistant Coach Marissa Thomas are leading a team of 11 students this year, as they continue to build the depth of their roster. 

Back in action is #3, Kaleigh Wilson, who led the team in kills last year before being sidelined with a knee injury that is now healed. 

“I feel like our chemistry is very, very good,” she said of this year’s team. “We all just get along and have a good time.” 

When she’s not practicing with the team, Wilson is busy completing prerequisite classes at ������Ƶ to join the college’s Physical Therapist Assistant program.

“I’m so excited,” she said. 

Freshman Jah’Kiera Woodley said from her first time meeting the team, she couldn’t wait to play with them. 

“They’re so chill,” she said. “So cool.” 

Ellis said this year’s team is communicating and connecting especially well, and that everyone is focused on improving and winning games. 

“The overall team culture and atmosphere is really, really good,” she said. 

After testing themselves in a match against prior alumni of the team, the squad will start their official season with an away game against Davidson-Davie Community College on Aug. 20. 

The first home game of the official season will be Saturday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. Home games take place in ������Ƶ’s gym, located in Powell Hall on ������Ƶ’s Lee Main Campus in Sanford.

Members of this year’s squad are Janelle Manzo (Cameron), Rylie Jordan (Colorado Springs, Colorado), Kaleigh Wilson (Sanford), Sophia Schmidt (Broadway), Taylor McNeill (Broadway), Kaija Whigham (Sanford), Jah’Kiera Woodley (Rocky Mount), Gabby Terrell (Chapel Hill), Brenda Salvador (Sanford), Neah Henry (Pittsboro), and Pouneh Setoudeh (Chapel Hill).

Visit ������Ƶ Sports to view additional information about ������Ƶ athletics, including this year’s volleyball match schedule.