For first-year women's volleyball coach Steve Shondell, Friday's season opener against The Citadel is a chance to make a first impression with Ball State fans.
It's an opportunity Shondell has looked forward to since accepting the job four months ago.
"We're anxious to get on the floor and get going," Shondell said. "Without having video to scout these teams, we're just going to have to go out and learn their tendencies on the fly."
Adjusting to the opponent will be a factor this weekend in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougar Classic, but coaches are primarily concerned with their team.
"We don't know what to expect. We're traveling a long distance to play," The Citadel coach Carolyn Geiger said. "First-game jitters will affect us, but we're focusing on our side of the net and what we're doing. I expect my team to play well and give 100 percent."
The Cardinals meet the Bulldogs for the first time in program history Friday at 5 p.m.
"We have a tremendous competitor in Ball State," Geiger said. "We're looking to start the new season well with a great match against Ball State."
Ball State will face Indiana State on Saturday at 11 a.m. and SIUE at 8 p.m. in the tournament's final match.
"I don't care who we are playing," Shondell said. "We are playing to win. Every team is beatable."
The Cardinals return four seniors and nine letterwinners from a squad that finished 15-16 last season, and Shondell said his team played well in preseason. Meanwhile, the Classic's three opponents combined to win 17 matches in 2009.
"I've never coached [against] or seen any of these opponents," Shondell said. "I expect us to come out and play with Ball State pride and represent Ball State well."
Former coach Dave Boos scheduled the SIUE Classic after SIUE participated in Active Ankle Challenge in 2009. For The Citadel, the SIUE Classic wasn't just a chance to win some games.
"We were looking for tournaments and put out our feelers for a date in the Midwest," Geiger said. "This looked to be a great fit, but more importantly it met our first and foremost priority. We have two players from Illinois who came to Charleston [S.C.], so this was about getting them a chance to play in front of friends and family."
Excitement is high for the season start, and Shondell and Geiger expressed how much they were looking forward to it. Both said they were also excited for the pregame meeting and handshake.
"I'm really looking forward to meeting Steve," Geiger said. "He's a tremendous coach. He's done so many great things already and is going to do great things for Ball State."
With all the preparations made, Shondell knows what he wants to see from his players this weekend.
"I want to see them playing with passion and competing every match," he said.
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