TALLADEGA - Fans awaiting the resurrection of sports at Talladega College won’t have to wait much longer. The Lady Tornadoes begin the 2008 volleyball on Thursday when they host the Lady Eagles of Judson College at 6 p.m. in Callahan Gymnasium.
TC head coach Rebecca Phipps said Tuesday that the Lady Tornadoes are in their third and final week of two-a-days and are ready to begin the season.
“They came on Aug. 7, I believe, and we’ve been having two-a-days ever since,” Phipps said Monday. “We go to practice at 5:45 in the morning and then we practice again at 5:15 in the afternoons.
“So we’ve really been working hard trying to get ready for the upcoming season. They’re excited, extremely excited. I’m looking forward to seeing them on the court.”
With only 10 players on the roster, the Lady Tornadoes have received a little help in practice from other athletes at the school. Several players from the Tornado baseball team were on hand at practice Tuesday helping Phipps and the players prepare for the season opener.
The baseball players, who are from Puerto Rico, understand the game of volleyball well and have been a big help to the Lady Tornadoes, according to Phipps.
“They’ve been a big help since we don’t have 12 players to scrimmage,” Phipps said. “Without them we wouldn’t be able to have a full scrimmage at practice.”
While Phipps has yet to see the girls play in a game, one local player has impressed her in practice.
“One of the young ladies that impressed me is Dynasty Swain,” she said. “She graduated I believe two years ago from Talladega High School. She really impressed me especially since she hasn’t touched the ball in a long time.
“She’s given me her all from her grades to on the floor. I’m kind of hard on her, but I don’t ever have to worry about an attitude or anything because she is a good kid.”
Early in the summer Phipps also said Apiffany Richards, a transfer from a junior college, would be a player to watch this season saying she “could be a Division I player.”
Phipps said Judson College should provide a good test to the Lady Tornadoes on Thursday, allowing them all to see just where they are early in the season.
“They look like they have some tall players so my players need to work on our blocks and communication on the court,” Phipps said.
Since a majority of Talladega’s team is made up of freshmen, Phipps said winning early is important for confidence if nothing else.
“Coming out and losing your first two games, that could be your downfall,” Phipps said. “They might say that the work they have done has been in vain because I have freshmen on the team and they’re not experienced at this level of competition.”
Thursday’s game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
