2015 UMO women's volleyball outlook

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 4, 2015 1:48 PM

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Coach: Colby Mangum, 1st season

Career record: 0-0-0

2014 record: 7-25 overall, 3-13 in Conference Carolinas

Starters back: 4

Key returners: The Trojans will depend on four of their top five offensive players from last year -- Britni Johnson (263 kills), Montgomery Register (199), Sarah Watkins (139) and Alysha Burnett (122).

2014 review: UMO appeared headed for a strong campaign with Mangum, an UMO alumna, at the helm. But starting setter Nicole Karas suffered a season-ending knee injury which left Mangum and assistant coach David Heller searching for a consistent setter.

2015 opener: Today vs. GRU Augusta at the Queens University (Charlotte) Invitational

Outlook: The Trojans' younger players experienced the "trial by fire" and came out stronger toward the end of the season. A majority of the Trojans saw playing time, often in pressure situations, which helped make them solid players. Mangum said the team's mental toughness improved during the offseason and because of injury struggles last season, it was difficult for UMO to maintain leads. Four freshmen have joined the fold and Karas has taken a setter under her wing. Mangum says the key to a successful season will depend upon aggressive play, minimizing errors and be comfortable with attacking out of system.

Notable: UMO posted a 2-7 record at home in 2014. ... The Trojans are 10-11 in season-opening matches since 1994, but have lost their last three. ... They're facing a Peach Belt opponent in their season opener for the third consecutive year. ... UMO hasn't recorded a winning campaign since 2011 when it won 16 games. The previous best was a 19-victory season in 2008.