New-Look Trojans Start 2019 Campaign Friday

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Roster cards are available at every Little Rock match at the Jack Stephens Center and this fall you are going to need one.
 
The Trojans, picked to finish third in the Sun Belt's West Division by a vote of the league's coaches, bring the most unknowns into the season with eight newcomers and just four returning letterwinners.
 
Head Coach Van Compton and her staff – which totals 52 years of coaching at Little Rock alone – will be challenged, especially early on, to get the young team ready for the speed of the collegiate game when first serve comes Friday morning in Fayetteville.
 
Three Things to Know – Schedule

1. The non-conference schedule will provide the young team great preparation for Sun Belt Conference play with 12 non-conference matches in four different tournaments.
2. The season opens on Aug. 30 with the Arkansas Classic in Fayetteville. Montana State is the season opener (10 a.m.) before the Trojans face the host Razorbacks at 7 p.m. Sun Belt play starts on Sept. 27 at Troy.
3. Little Rock will host 10 matches at the Jack Stephens Center this year. The home opener is Sept. 14 against Central Arkansas as part of the Governor's I-40 Showdown while the conference home opener is on Oct. 4 against UT Arlington.

 
Three Things to Know – Setters

1. After the graduation of Taylor Lindberg, there won't be pressure on any one player to fill the shoes of one of the best setters to ever play for the Trojans. Alyssa Nayar and Nathalia Vigineski will combine efforts to run the offense.
2. Alyssa Nayar is a freshman that brings a real setter's personality with a lot of confidence on the court. Nathalia Vigineski is a year older than Nayar but is also in her first year in the program.
3. Both setters have an even temperament – something that will be useful as the young team has to find its footing early on.

 
Three Things to Know – Outside Hitters/Rightside Hitters

1. The outside and rightside hitters bring the most experience of any group on the Trojans led by the selfless play of Carol Barbosa. Barbosa played middle last year and hit .357 and was a full rotation player for Little Rock a year ago.
2. Nedima Kamberovich hasn't been fully healthy the last two seasons, which hides her true on-the-court potential. She brings the hardest swing of anyone on the Trojan roster.
3. Laura Jansen and Amna Osmankovic are both younger players with a lot of potential. Both should be impact players on the team this year.

 
Three Things to Know – Middle Blockers

1. Little Rock was hit the hardest by graduation in the middle with the loss of 2018 Sun Belt Player of the Year Veronica Marin. Compton and Company will be looking to several freshmen to fill that void as best they can.
2. Janae Thurston brings a versatility and athleticism that will allow her to challenge opponents at the net.
3. The coaching staff will get different types of players when each respective remaining middle blocker is on the court providing a flexibility for situations and a challenge for teams to strategize against.

 
Three Things to Know – Defensive Specialists

1. Diana Giordani is a very good defensive player and server but is an even better teammate with great leadership skills.
2. Giordani provides tremendous experience and stability on the back row when she is on the court.
3. Maile Levy was a very well-rounded player with a high IQ in high school. That knowledge of the game and ability to move around the court in rotation will allow her to be a factor on the court this fall.

 
Season tickets for the 2019 Little Rock Volleyball schedule are currently on sale by contacting the Trojan Ticket Office at (501) 565-8257.  General admission season tickets are $40 while fans can also take advantage of the $99 Flex Pack that includes 20 ticket vouchers good for any home match during the regular season.

For the latest information on Little Rock Volleyball, make sure to check out LRTrojans.com. You can also find the team on social media at @LittleRockVB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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