LAKE CHARLES—Twelve years ago McNeese first year head volleyball coach Sasha Karelov was on her collegiate recruiting visit to Tuscaloosa, Alabama and following that visit she had to decide where she wanted to play collegiate volleyball…Alabama or Duke-she chose Duke.
 
Ironically, twelve years later, her collegiate head coaching debut will begin in Tuscaloosa this weekend at the Alabama Crimson Tide Invitational where she will lead her McNeese squad in its 2022 season opener against Alabama on Friday. First serve is set for 12:30 p.m. and the match can be seen on SECN+.  McNeese will also face Southern Miss at 3:30 p.m. Friday before concluding tournament play at 11 a.m. Saturday against UTSA.
 
"Our biggest goal this weekend is to communicate because we are all new to each other and have so many new players. We need to be aware of how we are communicating as well as listening because that is part of communicating," said Karelov. "Improvement will be another big thing this weekend. Can we improve on one, two, or three things every match."
 
The Cowgirls have practiced as a complete unit for basically two weeks and this weekend will not only be a big test on the court but more so the communication on the court will be tested.
 
"I'm excited for our fans to see how gritty we are. I've been pleasantly surprised at how much effort we have been getting on every ball whether its defensively or just chasing balls that are out of reach."
 
 McNEESE NOTES
•- It's the college head coaching debut for first year head coach Sasha Karelov
•- Is one of four tournaments for the Cowgirls this season
•- All four coaches in the tournament are in their first season as head coach with their respective teams
• McNeese returns nine letterwinners from a team that posted an 18-11 overall record and finished third in the SLC race with a 9-3 record a year ago.
•- McNeese has nine newcomers on the 2022 team (7 transfers, 2 freshmen)
•- McNeese is picked to finish fourth in the Southland Conference preseason poll
•- Seniors Kendall Glueck and Macee Krpec were named to the SLC preseason team
 
ABOUT ALABAMA
•- Member of the SEC
•- Head coach Rashinda Reed is in her first season with the Crimson Tide
•- Will be the third meeting against the Crimson Tide. The series is tied at one match apiece with the last meeting being played in 2017 at the South Alabama Jaguar Inv.
•- Alabama posted a 10-20 overall record and a 2-16 SEC record last season
 
ABOUT SOUTHERN MISS
•- Member of the Sun Belt Conference
•- Head coach Jenny Hazelwood is in her first season with the Golden Eagles
•- S. Miss leads the all-time series 6-3 and have won the last three meetings. The two teams last met in 2017 at the South Alabama Jaguar Invitational.
•- S. Miss posted an 11-17 overall record and a 3-9 conference record in 2021
 
 ABOUT UTSA
•- Member of C-USA
•- Head coach Carol Price-Torok is in her first season as head coach at UTSA
•- UTSA leads the series 9-3 and have won the last four matches. The team last met in Lake Charles in 2011.
•- UTSA posted an 8-16 overall record and 5-7 conference record in 2021