Volleyball excited about upcoming tournament

By Taylor Laskoski | gargoyle@flagler.edu

In regards to the upcoming Pepsi Bash at the Beach Tournament, Flagler College junior Jillian Unitas said whether the volleyball team wins or loses, they just want to have a fun weekend.

“I have never seen any of these teams play, but I am confident in our team and am excited for us to play new competition,” said Unitas, the team’s outside hitter and defensive specialist.

The three day tournament is scheduled for Oct. 8 through 10 in West Palm Beach. Flagler will play Ohio Valley, Palm Beach Atlantic, Southern New Hampshire, Bentley and Lynn College.

“I hope to win all 3 matches but I also hope we improve our serving and passing,” said Taylor Mott, head coach.

Unitas said she is most worried about Lynn because of their incredible setter and their all around strong team.

“However, I don’t doubt our team’s abilities to put up a good fight and possibly win,” she said. “We can definitely do it.”

The difference between this year’s team and last year’s team, Unitas said, is that the team manages to make bad situations into good ones. If they keep that up through the tournament, Unitas expects to contend for a championship.

“Each match we continue to improve and gain confidence,” Mott said. “We want to be playing our best at the end of the season.”

Unitas said she expects to win the Peach Belt Conference, go to Regionals and be lucky enough to make it to the National Championship again.

Mott agrees. “We lost some close matches early on and now we have to continue to win to put ourselves in position to make the region tournament.”

Flagler is currently 12-5, and most important 6-0 at home.

“The fans are incredibly important to us and have a powerful effect on how we play,” Unitas said.