After grabbing the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award, the women’s volleyball team prepares to kick off their 2017 season. With an 18-14 last season, the Ospreys face Troy University as their season opener on Aug. 25.

The Ospreys welcome some new faces in addition to key returners to the team as they get ready to play this season. Here is the 2017 women’s volleyball team:

#1 Carina Hoff

Position: Right Side/Middle Blocker

Year: Redshirt Senior

Major: Health Administration

Hoff played in eight games before she was injured for the remainder of the 2016 season. As a junior, she ranked 123rd in the nation and third in the conference for hitting percentage with .331.

#2 Callie Workman

Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist

Year: Freshman

Major: Exploratory

Before she came to UNF, Workman was a four-year player for Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Fla. She was selected for the Under Armour All-American Watch List and helped her team to become the District Runner-Up in her senior season.

#3 Gabby O’Connell

Position: Outside Hitter

Year: Sophomore

Major: Nursing

Last season, O’Connell made history by becoming the first player to receive five ASUN Freshman of the Week honors. She also took home the ASUN Freshman of the Year award after she led her team with 31 aces. O’Connell started this season off with a spot on the preseason ASUN all-conference team.

#5 Blaire Register

Position: Outside Hitter

Year: Freshman

Major: Exploratory

Before she made her way to UNF, Register played volleyball in St. John’s, Fla., where she became an academic letterwinner twice. She helped her high school squad to two conference and district championships.

#6 Sadie Thurston

Position: Setter

Year: Senior

Major: Chemistry

As an Osprey, Thurston played a total of 63 sets in the 2016 season and started in two games. She had a season-high 25 assists when the Ospreys played Georgia Southern on Sept. 13.

#7 Devyn Wheeler

Position: Middle Blocker

Year: Freshman

Major: Biology

Before she came to UNF, Wheeler was a three-time all-district first-team selection in high school. She won two district titles and finish out her club season with the Dallas Arsenal Volleyball Club.

#10 Carinne Turner

Position: Setter

Year: Senior

Major: Transportation & Logistics

In the 2016 season, Turner collected 232 assists, 12 aces and 224 digs for the Ospreys. She recorded multiple double-digit digs and double-figure kills. Turner also switched over to outside hitter where she collected 220 kills, the third most on the team.

#11 Katarina Raicevic

Position: Outside Hitter/Right Side

Year: Senior

Major: Business Management

As a junior, Raicevic played in all 32 games and started in 25 of them. She earned the second-most kills with 268 and was named to the ASUN All-Conference Second Team.

#13 Ashley LaBorde

Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist

Year: Junior

Major: Communication

Last season, LaBorde earned 22 aces and 62 assists. She had 30 digs, a season high, when the Ospreys played Jacksonville University. Laborde showed excellence off the court with the ASUN Academic Honor Roll achievement twice.

#14 Alana Shoff

Position: Middle Blocker

Year: Junior

Major: Political Science

A transfer to UNF from Appalachian State in Boone, N.C., Shoff started in 23 of her 26 played games. She led her team with 56 blocks and grabbed 137 kills. Shoff’s 13 kills in one game is her season-high.

#17 Madilyn McCarty

Position: Setter

Year: Junior

Major: Accounting

Last season, McCarty led her team with the most assists at 849. She had her a season-high of 56 assists during the 3-2  River City Rumble victory against rival Jacksonville University on Sep. 23.

#18 Asante Lopez

Position: Outside Hitter

Year: Junior

Major: Health Administration

Lopez, who is a Jacksonville native, transferred over to UNF to play her 2017 season as an Osprey. Prior to the transfer, Lopez led her FSCJ squad in kills with 281. She also ranked second on her team in digs with 186.

#19 Kaileen Herman

Position: Setter

Year: Freshman

Major: Marketing

Before she attended UNF, Herman played at Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Ill. There she made the Southwest Suburban Conference selection three times and appeared in the 7th Annual Southtown Sports All-Star Game.

#42 Taryn Griffey

Position: Middle Blocker

Year: Sophomore

Major: Exploratory

Last season, Griffey played in 25 of the games and earned herself seven starts. She had 62 kills while getting a season-best four blocks in 2016.

__

For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email protected].