Things do not get any easier for Lee's Callie Tabisz and her Lady Flames. That is the way the second-year coach says she "likes it" as she prepares the team for the annual Lee Volleyball Invitational on Friday and Saturday inside Paul Dana Walker Arena.
"I am incredibly thankful for this rugged preseason schedule. No match we play or come into will come easy for us. We want to play the best so we can step up our level of play and be ready for conference. It is important to play the best in the country in the first few weeks to really showcase the areas that we can improve in before our openers with Union and CBU (Christian Brothers University," Coach Tabisz explained.
The Lady Flames (1-3) won over West Virginia Wesleyan while losing to No.1-ranked Tampa, and very good Wingate and North Greenville teams last weekend at the Queen's Invitational in Charlotte, N.C. On Friday, Lee will be pitted against No.2-ranked Washburn (Kansas) at 12:45 p.m., followed by a rivalry from the Sunshine State Conference, Saint Leo at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday's slate finds the Lady Flames testing Erskine College (S.C.) at 3:15 p.m. and then two solid days of play in the Lee Invitational wraps up against longtime non-conference rival Trevecca University at 7 p.m.
Washburn traveled to Nebraska last weekend and came away with four wins. Saint Leo was in Saint Louis and finished at 2-2. Erskine College hosted its own event as did Trevecca. Erskine went 2-2 while Trevecca racked up four wins before traveling to Jackson, Tennessee and falling to GSC rival Union University.
Coach Tabisz noted that her team definitely took many positives away from the past weekend. Individually the coach singled out the play of junior middle blocker/right side Macy Petty. "She stepped up in a fantastic way last weekend in her play and leadership. I thought she did an awesome job of being versatile across the net and really stepped up defensively in blocking.
"A fresh face (for or fans) to see this season is Emma Von Riegen. We needed another pin (outside hitter) to step up and start producing more kills, and (Emma) hitting .320 in the opening match of her college career is awesome! I am excited to see how she can continue to grow and help this team succeed!" praised Tabisz.
Her hitting percentage will be a mark Abby Stroh will be seeking to improve on this weekend, but the senior's 39 kills and 36 digs were impressive in Charlotte. Freshman Clarissa Soza had twenty-four digs. First-year player Sophia Lippert and Petty were credited with five blocks each.
Last year the fans turned out to support Coach Tabisz and the Lady Flames. "I love our team playing in front of our home crowd," she stressed. "I honestly believe in home court advantage, especially with a crowd like ours! We invite all Lee fans to attend our matches this weekend. We are seeking big crowds for our evening matches on Friday and Saturday. Reminder: All Lee students, faculty, and staff, get in free to all matches this weekend, so come on out and get ready to cheer on your Lady Flames to victory."
