ISTAP Gameday Central

JACKSONVILLE – The 2012 volleyball season is set to begin for Jacksonville State this weekend as the Gamecocks travel to Montgomery to play in the 2012 ISTAP Invitational hosted by Alabama State.

The Gamecocks open the tournament on Friday against Stetson at 9 a.m. and will then face Southeastern Louisiana at 5 p.m. They will then play two more games on Saturday against South Dakota at 9 a.m. and the host school Alabama State at 5 p.m.

JSU returns seven players and four starters from last year's team that went 11-19 and 9-11 in OVC play. The tournament will provide valuable experience for the team's eight newcomers, six of which are true freshmen.

The Gamecocks may be young, but head coach Joseph Goodson likes their experience.  Seniors Lauren Busing, Hivya Leite and Jen Meyer have all been with the program for several years, while senior Alabama transfer Kelsey Anderson brings SEC experience to the squad.

Junior defensive specialist Kelly Cole finished second on the team with 434 digs last season, while junior setter Abbey Heredia led the team with 662 assists. Junior Kris Lawson transfers from Gadsden State and is expected to add athleticism to this year's squad.

Sophomores Nicole Merget and Alina Agamy both saw action as freshman, with Agamy splitting time with Heredia at setter. Agamy finished the season second on the team with 618 assists and posted the first triple-double since JSU joined the OVC in 2003 with 11 kills, 31 assists and 11 digs on Oct. 22 against Southeast Missouri.

Freshmen Grace Anbouba, Samatha Bohne, Taylor Long, Emily Rutherford, Kaley Sierawski and Kaitlyn Zelhart will all be making their collegiate debuts this weekend.

The cost for the tournament will be $5 per day or $8 for a two-day pass. There is also a special rate of $1 for high school and middle school volleyball players who show up at the tournament wearing their official game jerseys.