Coach Jacobs Prepares to Lead Young, Inexperienced Lady Jags

With the new season officially underway, Coach Venessa Jacobs and the Southern University women’s volleyball team look to build on the progress of last season to become a serious contender for a championship in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
One of three programs in a three-way tie last season in the SWAC’s Western Division (4-4 in conference play), SU will rely on veteran leadership to guide an extremely youthful team into the 2014 campaign.
There are seven new additions that include freshmen/transfers to join the five returning players on the roster. The only classified senior and team captain, Middle Blocker/Outside Hitter Marisol Macias (157 kills in 2013), embraces playing on an inexperienced team and looks to this as an opportunity for a fresh start.
“We want to do better than last year. We have a couple of new girls. The chemistry is getting there. We are working hard to change the past,” said Macias.
The focus of preseason has been gaining the necessary reps in six-on-six drills, which puts an effort in place the players into an advantageous position of comfort, in preparation for any difficult encounters that may arise during a match throughout the season.
“The game is nice when we’re in a (good) system and transiting. However, if we’re not in transition then we want to be really good at winning ugly,” said Coach Jacobs.
Though this year’s team consists mostly of underclassmen, Coach Jacobs will be relying on three sophomores in particular, Setter Phalen Clark (leading the team with 232 kills in 2013), Outside Hitter Diamond Williams (24 kills in 2013), and Melody Malone (36 kills in 2013) to lead the group of optimistic faces that intend to bring a new energy into Seymour Gym this year.
“We’re trying to re-brand SU Volleyball. We want more people coming out to the volleyball games. We are trying to make a name for ourselves,” said Clark said.
Southern began their season this past weekend for Alabama State’s tournament in Montgomery, Alabama. They lost three of the four matches (against Murray State, Alabama State, and UT-Martin) to start the new season but defeating South Carolina State (3-1) offers promise to a group with no expectations outside of their own locker room.
“We’re relying on everybody. We can’t do anything without each other. They’re relying on me to keep it together and I’m relying on them to go out there and take care of business.” finished Jacobs.
Next up for the lady Jaguars is a Tuesday night matchup in Hammond against the Southeastern Lady Lions. Following that matchup, they will travel to Lafayette to participate in the University of Louisiana – Lafayette’s tournament over the weekend.
The Lady Jags begin SWAC play on September 10 at home when they host the Jackson State Lady Tigers.