MORGANTOWN, W. Va.  – West Virginia University volleyball fans will have the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the new-look Mountaineers on Sunday, when the squad hosts its annual Gold/Blue intersquad scrimmage at the WVU Coliseum at noon.

 

“We’re excited for this weekend’s scrimmage,” said coach Reed Sunahara. “I think it will be a good opportunity to gauge how far we’ve come since camp started and see what else we need to work on before we head to Michigan next week.”

 

Though unofficial, it marks the first WVU game day for Sunahara, who took over the program in March. He is joined this season by assistants Sean Byron and Rebecca Rudnick, as well as volunteer Thiago Barbosa and operations assistant Aaron Hastings.

 

This year’s team will return to the court with a markedly different look from last season’s squad, as the Mountaineers boast nine newcomers in 2015. Senior Brittany Sample will transition back to setter this season and will no doubt lead the way for WVU. Fellow senior Caleah Wells also boasts a wealth of experience, playing in all but one game in her career, while starting middle blocker Hannah Shreve returns for her junior season after leading the team in blocks per set last season. Sophomore Gianna Gotterba, who started at defensive specialist before transition to libero, will also be counted on for leadership. Other veterans include junior Haley Roe and sophomores Melvina Brown and Morgan Montgomery.

 

Five of WVU’s nine newcomers boast prior collegiate volleyball experience, with three playing previously at the Division I level. Middle blocker Mia Swanegan joins the team from Big 12 foe TCU, while Taylor Cross played defensive specialist at New Mexico during her rookie campaign. Middle blocker Nzea McQuitery comes from Big South power Liberty, but is expected to redshirt due to NCAA transfer rules.