The ULM volleyball team will start its season Aug. 28 at the Jackson State University tournament. The Warhawks first face the Southeastern Louisiana University Lions and then the Jackson State Tigers.
This season will be a new start for the Warhawks. Last season, the team didn’t finish with a competitive record, leading to the resignation of head coach John Schmidt. The Warhawks also lost key senior Mari O’Neal.
During the off-season, the program met expectations for rebuilding this team.
Hiring Earnest Vasquez gave the team a new outlook. Vasquez has not been a head coach before, but brings youth and energy to the staff.
“I’m bringing a fresh start, adding some new kids to the roster, and the difference is we have a clear vision of what we want to do,” Vasquez said.
Coaching alongside Vasquez will be Karen Glover, bringing over a decade of experience to the program, including the past four seasons as a head coach in the collegiate ranks. She also served two separate two-year stints as the head coach at Arizona Western College and Phoenix College.
Coming in with the new coaching staff will be freshman Iren Marinova and two multi-sport athletes in Stacia Palmer and Danielle O’Donnell, who both come from the ULM Track and Field team. Michelle Farrell-Fink also joins from the softball team.
“I noticed Stacia and Danielle when I first came to ULM while I was working with the high jump coach,” Vasquez said. “The high jump has a lot of exercises and drills that are similar to volleyball. They will bring speed and athleticism.”
Vasquez went on to talk about Farrell- Fink being able to bring a power in her serve ball.
The Warhawks will host a Beach Volleyball Bash on Friday August 27 at 1 p.m. and are asking for everyone to come out and support.
