JONESBORO, Ark. (8/9/16) – One day after officially reporting to fall camp for the 2016 season, the Arkansas State volleyball team held its first two practices Tuesday under the direction of fifth-year head coach David Rehr with a morning session at the HPESS facility followed by an afternoon practice in the Convocation Center.

The team's morning practice consisted of individual skills work with drills designed to help the team improve in all facets of the game. The squad then shifted to the Convocation Center for a late afternoon practice session, which featured the team separating into teams and scrimmaging against each other.

“I wasn't really sure what to expect for the first time since I've been here,” Rehr said. “Usually I have an idea of what we will probably need to work on heading into camp, but we came out and were solid in almost every aspect of the game. There's still some work to do obviously and we will have good days and bad days, but all in all, today was a good day for the team.”

This was the first organized practice featuring A-State's three newcomers and 12 returning letterwinners from a season ago. Those 15, along with one redshirt freshman and two others who dressed out, but didn't play in any games, represent the 2016 version of the Red Wolves volleyball squad.

“We are kind of in the same boat as last year with so much experience coming back, but we did lose three starters and that is always tough to replace no matter who you have returning,” continued Rehr. “It was nice to be able to get an extended look at all the newcomers and it will be interesting to see how the position battles play out leading up to our first match.”

The 2015 season was a monumental success that saw A-State register a 28-2 record, a perfect 16-0 mark in SBC play, a conference tournament championship, and its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1999 and fifth overall in program history.