Volleyball season for the Lady Lions started last month and is rapidly picking up. They are currently playing in the Blazer Invitational in Birmingham. As of Sep 7, they hold a 3-4 record.
Head coach Tristan Johnson is coaching his fourth season with the Lions and explained why this team is so special to him.
“This is the first team I’ve had here that I recruited every player. It’s the first team that hopefully mirrors who we want to be to a certain degree. They are good people, students and representatives of UNA”.
Johnson’s coaching skills were crucial for the team to grow. Before him, the team had won 18 games total in four years – eight of those being conference games. In the last two seasons, they have won nine conference games in each season.
He put into perspective how hard the team has been working and his expectations for the remainder of the season.
“Of the calendar year, they are spending over 300 of 365 days dedicating their lives to this and we only play 30 games in a season. You’re spending a lot of time working toward putting on a uniform. Respecting and honoring the work you put in by giving what you need to every time you get to play is something that I think we’re really trying to strive for”.
On Sept. 14 at 2 p.m., Lady Lions will play Alabama at CB&S Bank Arena. Last season, they played in Tuscaloosa and had a clean sweep of 3-0.
The team’s goal is to sell out the Bank, which they believe is easily attainable. Over 600 presale tickets have already been sold.
Johnson said, “I think the thing that excites me to play Alabama is the same thing that excites me to play any other team. I just love to get after it and compete. Getting an SEC school to come play here shows not only the growth of the volleyball program, but of the athletic department”.
He concluded with a few words of advice for those who are unsure about the sport.
“I really encourage people to come out and watch. These girls have worked extremely hard to be able to play a dozen or so matches in this arena. It further proves the vision of Dr. Kitts and Dr. Looney and what they want out of this, which is to bring an atmosphere that this place deserves”.
The Lady Lions look forward to showcasing their skills as the season continues.
