The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/714462
60 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY JACEY ZEMBAL N C State is counting on a new coach and new-look home to re- invigorate the volleyball program. Linda Hampton-Keith arrives after spending the last five years as an as- sistant coach at Arizona State. She takes over for the departed Bryan Bunn, who went 108-83 overall and 45-73 in the ACC over the last six seasons. The Wolfpack last made the NCAA Tournament in 2012, and was picked to finish 12th this year in the preseason ACC poll by the league's coaches. Returning "home" to Reynolds Coli- seum, which received a $35 million renova- tion, after a year spent playing matches at Raleigh Broughton High will be a rallying point for the program. NCSU opens the season on the road for its first seven matches, but return to Ra- leigh Sept. 9 for the Wolfpack Invitational, the first event at new Reynolds. "Reynolds is a huge identity, and not just for our program but for many pro- grams," Hampton-Keith said. "There is just so much history there. For our team to get back in there, and for me to be there for the first time ever, we have had that date marked for a long time. "We are excited as a staff since Reyn- olds has meant so much to so many people. We are honored to be playing at such a historic arena. We want to connect with ■ PREVIEW VOLLEYBALL NEW BEGINNING First-Year Coach And Renovated Reynolds Coliseum Are Poised To Spark NC State ■ Key Matches TCU Tournament, Aug. 26-27 — New head coach Linda Hampton-Keith spent six seasons as an as- sistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Texas Chris- tian (2005-10). She returns to Fort Worth with the Pack and will play Northwestern State, TCU, Arkansas State and Boise State. The match against the Horned Frogs, who went 19-10 last year and fell to Hawaii in the NCAA Tournament, is slated for Aug. 26. Vs. North Carolina, Sept. 22 — The Tar Heels and Wolfpack play twice this season, with the first matchup taking place at historic and upgraded Reynolds Coliseum. UNC was voted preseason No. 1 in the ACC by league's 15 coaches and received 12 first-place votes out of 14 (coaches aren't allowed to vote for own team). Twelve players return from last year's 21-10 squad, which went 17-3 in the ACC and lost 3-1 to Creighton in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Vs. Florida State, Oct. 9 — The Seminoles and Wolfpack also have a home-and-home series this fall, with the first being at Reynolds. FSU finished second in the ACC preseason coaches' poll. The Seminoles had a pair of outside hitters — senior Katie Horton and junior Milica Kubura — earn ACC preseason honors. FSU finished 25-8 before falling to rival Florida 3-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament a season ago. Last year, senior setter Maggie Speaks paced the Wolfpack with 1,061 assists and ranked second on the team with 190 digs. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS