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Gaston College's Kristy Seifert during a Thursday practice session at the school's on-campus courts.
Gaston College's Kristy Seifert during a Thursday practice session at the school's on-campus courts.
Posted: Feb 16, 2023

Gaston College beach volleyball ready to open season, pursue regional and national honors

Gaston College's second-year beach volleyball team is poised to open its 2023 season.

And this season, coach Rachel Noreika's team will be able to pursue regional and national honors.

"We're excited to get it going," Noreika said of Tuesday's 3 p.m. doubleheader at four-year school St. Andrews University in Laurinburg.

A year ago, the Rhinos didn't have a roster large enough for a full team. But with a 13-player roster this season, Noreika's teams will have the opportunity to pursue a Region 10 title and a National Junior College Athletic Association title in April.

"The whole team has really progressed," Noreika, whose team played a fall schedule in 2022 in preparation for this season. "I have more flexibility in my pairings than I thought I would have in the fall. It's because all of the players have improved and progressed so much."

Since indoor volleyball is considered the more conventional path in the sport - and it's the path Noreika followed as a Liberty University volleyball player - much of her training is on the nuanced differences between indoor and beach volleyball.

Fortunately the Rhinos have the first on-campus athletic facility since Gaston College restarted athletics in the fall of 2021 and her roster has prepared almost daily to get ready for its 2023 season.

"The majority of the team are indoor players that have transitioned to beach," Noreika said. "Emma Downey has the most experience and has played beach for a number of years. And Christina Rotola and Millea Styles have some experience on beach and grass."

Other players on the roster are Bianca Bowland, Kalun Gilchrist, Lacey Green, Naomi Hilliard, Elizabeth Jones, Leilani Nolasco, Carli Phillips, Janette Pierre, Cameryn Reavis and Kristy Seifert.

The team will navigate its schedule in hopes of playing its best at the one-day Region 10 championship tournament that is currently slated for Sandhills Community College on April 8. That tournament winner advances to the April 20-22 NJCAA championships in Tavares, Fla.