ULM Warhawks

MONROE, La. - The 2021 ULM Volleyball team has had its chance to regroup and refocus after a 2020 campaign that fell apart. The pandemic-stricken year saw the Warhawks win their opening contest before losing their next 22 games.

Third-year head coach Charlie Olson has a youth-filled team to work with. Nine new freshmen joined his team, as opposed to just one senior on the roster. Cali Assaley enters her senior year, after totaling over 100 kills last season, along with Madeline Hogan who will have one year of eligibility left after graduating this year.

This freshmen class arrives with a plethora of accolades from their high school careers. Olson says that they are willing to leave that in the past and work toward new goals.

"Most all of this freshman class have a ton of high school accolades: District MVPs, First Team All-District, All-State, and more," Olson said. "That's all great, yet none of that matters when you get to college. The best part is that none of them care about those high school accolades. They want to come in and help build something special."

In 2020, the Warhawks had a limited conference schedule. They did not see any opponents out of the East Division until South Alabama in the conference tournament. Olson feels a sense of excitement looking towards conference play this season as he highlights the changes.

"Preseason ranking and all-conference teams are unjustifiable as there's so many new players, players who have stayed due to COVID, two new head coaches, and now that we are able to play our full season, it's anyone's ball game," Olson said.

In addition to their conference schedule, ULM will be challenged by Houston, Tulane, Mississippi State and Missouri State, teams that Olson feels will give them a much-needed challenge.

"All of the teams we play will challenge us, will give us the opportunity to try various line-ups and help position ourselves to play at the highest level we ever have in the SBC," Olson said.

Olson's first recruiting class is entering their second year with the program. He describes Emma McWhorter and Chloe Jordan as "an excellent combo" who will "never back down from a challenge."

Olson is particularly excited about Hofstra transfer Mariana Volponi e Giordan. The 6-1 setter from Brazil earned praise from her coach. Olson expects her to bring a veteran presence along with the rest of the upperclassmen on the roster.

"We knew that we had to gain another court leader who possessed a high volleyball IQ and international experience," Olson said. "Mari brings us both of those things. She's extremely hard working and passionate about the game of volleyball."

In this freshman class, Olson brought in two pairs of former teammates. Kaitlin Davis and Avery Cole both signed to ULM from Cedar Park High School in Texas, and Madeline Villarreal joined the Warhawks with Kailey Friedrich from Cypress Ranch High School in Texas.

Olson says he feels the team will excel due to its ability to mesh as a unit.

"We are super deep, and we don't have one MVP, which is a great thing," Olson said. "We will be a hard team to scout with that respect since we don't have that one go-to player."

ULM hosts an exhibition match against Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, Aug. 21. They open their regular season at Lamar in the Katrinka Crawford Invitational. They take on Oral Roberts and Prairie View A&M on Aug 27. They challenge Lamar the next day to end their trip.

The Warhawks host Interstate 20 rival Louisiana Tech on Sept. 14.