With a mix of new faces added to the roster, the Nicholls volleyball team is ready to open its 2016 season as they face Samford on Friday in Birmingham.

The addition of 6 freshmen, 4 transfers, and assistant Coach Kindra Carlson leaves the team with more newcomers than returners. The players are embracing this as an opportunity to change their team chemistry in a positive way as they blend new energy with the experience of older vets on the squad.

“The returners are bringing back the same focus,” senior Ainsley Marroccoli said. “The newcomers are bringing a fresh vibe which is something different than what we’ve had in the past. Their energy and excitement is awesome to work with.”

Echoing her teammate, senior Kali Schwartz notes that the new “fresh look” will promote better team chemistry. Although making it to the Southland Conference Tournament again is a long-term goal for Schwartz, the short-term goal is to make things smoother in the gym.

Kindra Carlson joined the group when she took an assistant coaching position this spring, and she will serve a vital role this season alongside the Colonels. Head Coach Tommy Harold knows Carlson’s impressive background in volleyball as a player gives her instant credibility with the team, which has helped her make a steady transition from playing the game to coaching it.

“She brings a unified message because she knows the systems we’re running,” Harold said. “The girls understand where she’s coming from and where she has been.”

After her collegiate career at the University of Washington from 2007-2010, Carlson played professionally in Germany, Greece, Puerto Rico and France. She also trained with the U.S. National Team before she found her way to Thibodaux where she has been welcomed by both Harold and the players.

“Her [Carlson] and Tommy both mesh really well and so it makes it great for consistency on the team,” Schwartz said.

Senior Kaci Eaton knows the small improvements that they make as a team this season are what will lead to the bigger ones.

“We’re working on technical skills and getting the basics down,” Eaton said. “Once we get to play, we will have really good volleyball, but for now, we need to work on little improvements every day.”

Eaton earned Preseason All Southland First Team honors for the second consecutive year. Although she started late in the 2015 season due to injuries, she bounced back in time for Southland play and was an asset to the team in their last matches. Eaton holds the program record for attacks in a single match, (77) and her record of 25 kills in one match are the second highest in program history.

In preparation for this season, the volleyball team placed a higher emphasis on weightlifting over the summer by incorporating 4 days of weight training per week on top of 3-4 conditioning days.

Having a baseline of better strength and fitness has helped them deal with the soreness that comes along with preseason training, where they train two times daily and lift weights every other day.

The Colonels begin their season at Birmingham, Alabama and will stay on the road for the better part of the season before defending their home court in SLC play. Although some teams break down mentally and physically from the strain of a road-heavy season, Harold believes the comfort of a routine will keep the morale of his athletes high.

“Being on the road is okay because after going through a similar pattern every week, we get into a routine,” Harold said. “Once the conference schedule starts, we will adjust to that pattern, too. It’s all about routine.”

Looking ahead, the Colonels believe the new additions to their team will give them the opportunity to gain the edge they need to lead them back to the SLC Tournament.

“Our big thing this year is learning how to learn new things,” Marroccoli said. “We have to focus on one skill, one task, one technique, and one practice at a time.”