After jumping out to a 6-2 record in non-conference play, the Lady Pirates volleyball team will kick off their inaugural American Athletic Conference season this weekend with UConn and Temple.

The Pirates were chosen by the AAC to finish last in the conference rankings. Sophomore outside hitter Sydney Darden said her teammates are ready and willing to turn heads with their play.

“We were very taken back that we were picked to finish last in the American Conference,” said Darden. “Coming out in our first game, we want to push as hard as we can and show people that even though we’re the underdog, we’re still going to come out really strong.”

Head Coach Julie Torbett and her Pirates are coming off of a 2-2 weekend at Penn State where they notched wins against Eastern Illinois and DePaul. They suffered their first setback of the season against Illinois-Chicago before dropping consecutive sets against Penn State.

Beginning their in-conference schedule at home is a bonus for the Pirates and something they hope to take advantage of.

“It’s obviously exciting to be back at home to open up conference play on our court,” said Torbett. “I know the girls are really excited about it too… We’re going to just continue to put forth the best effort and continue to get better.”

Torbett said the eight non-conference matches her team played have set a solid foundation for what will be a tough conference schedule.

“We feel that we have played enough matches that we have a perspective of where we are as a team,” said Torbett. “We know that we will have to continue to work really hard because we’re not by any means at the top of the conference… so every match that we win in conference is more than anyone else thought we could do. But we believe in ourselves and we believe in each other.”

To have a successful season in conference, the Pirates will have to rely on new and familiar faces alike. First year outside hitters Darden and Ashton Mares have made an immediate impact and will continue to play a major part of the Pirates’ offensive attack.

Kierra Lee-Dunson is a junior middle hitter and has improved her game that has made her another viable option to attack with. Lee-Dunson recorded 20 kills against Eastern Illinois last weekend and will likely continue to emerge as conference play begins.

Lauren Bewick, a junior defensive specialist, is a first year Pirate and holds the second most digs on the team (77). Zarah Cecich is the team’s lone senior and serves as the setter and leader of the team, her 252 assists are the most on the team.

UConn will come to Minges following its first AAC match up with Temple on Wednesday. The Huskies sit at 7-4 win notable wins over Cornell, Columbia and Bryant. This will serve as an early tough test for Torbett’s Pirates.

Temple has kicked off its season with a 9-3 record and may be a tougher task for the Pirates than UConn. The Owls are coming off a weekend sweep over fellow Philadelphia-based schools La Salle, Villanova and Penn in which they did not drop a set. Despite being selected to finish ninth in conference pre-season, Temple will be a team to watch.

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