The Crimson Tide volleyball team will return to Foster Auditorium this weekend, competing against Kentucky and Tennessee for the last home matches.
Alabama dropped matches to Kentucky and Tennessee in the first round of SEC play. And after a tough weekend on the road, the Tide will continue to place defense as the biggest emphasis for the week’s practices.
“We have to work on attacking against a solid defense, both at the net and in the back court,” head coach Ed Allen said. “We’re focusing on our ability to first and second ball terminate, to use the block, to try to stay within [the] system with a difficult serving team like Kentucky and play hard. We didn’t play as hard as we were capable of when we were at Kentucky the first time, and this is something we have identified and have been working very hard on the last couple weeks.”
It’s been a tough season in SEC play for the Tide. Kentucky and Tennessee are ranked No. 18 and No. 15, respectively. With four tough games remaining in the schedule, sophomore member Andre McQuaid hopes the team can end on a positive note.
“It’s more about pride and character,” McQuaid said. “As an athlete, you go in, and the end of the season should be like the beginning of the season. It shouldn’t be like ‘Oh, we’re almost done with our season.’ We shouldn’t putt-putt around. Every game is important, especially a home game is a chance for us to increase our fan base.”
Sunday’s match against Tennessee will also be Senior Day for Stephanie Riley. Riley has been a big influence on the Tide in her four years at Alabama. Allen said although a victory for Riley would be nice, he wants her to know the team supports her.
“We’d love to send her out with a victory, but more importantly be playing hard for her and her having good memories of exactly what that experience has been for her this year,” Allen said. “So, our expectation is to take care of one another, to take care of her, for her to feel supported in her last match.”
Despite the difficult season, Riley said this year has been her favorite.
“It’s bittersweet,” she said. “I’ve been through some rough seasons here and everything, but this last one has definitely been my favorite. The girls and the coaching staff really made it an awesome year, despite our record. It’s winding down, and it’s going to be sad, but I’ve had such great experiences, and I’ve grown so much here. I’m ready to move on and see where this program goes in the future.”
