LAKE CHARLES—McNeese volleyball reports Monday, Aug. 7 to begin preparing for the 2023 season which is slated to start Aug. 25 when the Cowgirls take part in the Auburn Tiger Invitational.
 
Prior to the season opener, the Cowgirls will hold its Blue-Gold scrimmage at 1 p.m. on Aug. 19.
 
Monday's schedule has the Cowgirls starting the day off with team and individual pictures in the morning and compliance/academic meetings in the afternoon.
 
The Cowgirls will take to the court for the first time a unit on Tuesday, Aug. 8 for two-a-days until the first day of classes (Aug. 14).  The first practice is set for 9 a.m.-12 p.m. After a lunch break, the Cowgirls will return for its second practice of the day set for 2-5 p.m. Practices are open to the public. 
 
A total of 15 student-athletes will make up the 2023 roster with five players returning from a team that posted an 18-16 overall record and tied for second place in the SLC with a 13-5 conference record under second year head coach Sasha Karelov.
 
The top returners include junior libero Bailey Tillman, and AVCA All-Region selection and the Louisiana Libero of the Year along with the reigning Southland Conference Freshman of the Year in Sanni Rantanen.
 
Other returnees include senior Nejra Hanic and juniors McKenzie Moore and Kendall Osgood.
 
The roster includes 10 newcomers including four transfers (Carissa Chainey, Emma Hendricks, Kayla Wilson, Revna Cakir) while the freshmen include (twins Emmalynn Montes and Abigail Montes, Megan Grose, Isabella Ceja, Ella Swansiger, Tshilanda Diouf).
 
Cowgirl Practice Schedule (Aug. 8-15)
Tue., Aug. 8
9 a.m.-12 p.m.; 2-5 p.m.
Wed., Aug. 9
9 a.m.-12 p.m.
2-5 p.m.
Thur., Aug. 10
8:30-10:30 a.m.
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 11
1-3 p.m.
4-6 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 12
8-11 a.m.
1-3 p.m.
Sun., Aug. 13
OFF
Mon., Aug. 14 (First Day of Classes)
1-4 p.m.