Hokie ClubThe Virginia Tech volleyball team opened its first week of practice for the 2008 season this week. Tech will have two-a-days until the fall semester starts. During practice the Hokies will do individual position work, 6 vs. 6 practice and other drills.
The 2008 team welcomes seven freshmen, from six different states to the squad along with 10 returnees. Local products Alison Blasingame an outside hitter from Yorktown, Va., and Kirsten Higareda, a libero from Woodbrige, Va., both had successful careers in Virginia state volleyball. Blasingame was Virginia’s 2007 AA State Player of the Year, while Higareda earned second-team all-state honors.
Justine Record of Redwood City, Calif., a member of the bronze-medal winning squad in the 18 open division at the 2008 U.S. Junior Nationals and Jennifer Wiker of Charlotte, N.C., and Charlotte Weekly’s Volleyball Player of the Year, accompany Blasingame as newcomers at the outside hitter position.
Rounding out the 2008 freshman class are: Kirsty Blue, a talented middle blocker from Geneva, Fla. who earned second-team all-state honors as a senior, setter Erin Leaser, who helped Allentown Central Catholic High School to the 2007 Pennsylvania AAA State Championship and Jessica Woody, a two-time letterwinning libero from Rowlett, Texas.
The Hokies open the season at home with the Hawthorn Suites Hokie Invitational on Aug. 29 and 30 at Cassell Coliseum. The squad’s first opponent is Maryland-Eastern Shore on Aug 29 at 7 p.m.