THE FLATS – No. 9 Georgia Tech volleyball will begin its 2022 campaign on the road at the Ole Miss Invitational this weekend by taking on host Ole Miss on Friday at 5 pm and No. 17 Illinois on Saturday at 4 pm, both in Oxford, Miss.
Coverage
- Friday, Aug. 26 | No. 9 Georgia Tech at Ole Miss | 5 p.m SECN+ | Watch | Live Stats
- Saturday, Aug. 27 | No. 9 Georgia Tech at No. 17 Illinois | 4 p.m Live Stats
Storylines
- The Jackets received their highest preseason ranking in program history of No. 9 in the AVCA DI Coaches Preseason Poll.
- Overall, the nine spot ties the sixth-highest ranking Tech has received in its 42-year history. The Jackets’ selection marks the second consecutive appearance in the AVCA’s top 10 after being tabbed No. 8 at the end of the 2021 season.
- The Yellow Jackets have been listed in 39 straight top 25 polls to date, reaching as high as No. 6 during that time, the highest for the program since 2003 and third best mark all time.
- Tech was picked to finish third in the ACC by the league’s coaches for the third consecutive year.
- Senior outside hitter Julia Bergmannsophomore outside hitter Bianca Bertolino and senior middle blocker Erin Moss were each selected preseason all-ACC.
- Georgia Tech heads into the 2022 season on the heels of a historic 2021 season, finishing 26-6 overall and 14-4 in ACC play after advancing to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history.
- The White and Gold swept three straight NCAA tournament opponents for the first time in program history in The Citadel, No. 17 WKU and No. 9 seed Ohio State.
- The Jackets made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances for the first time since advancing to the Big Dance five consecutive seasons from 2000-04.
- The berth in the Big Dance alone marked the 11th time in program history, the second straight for the Yellow Jackets following an 11-year drought and the second appearance under coach Michelle Collier.
- Going beyond 2019’s NIVC title, Tech has won 58 of its last 70 matches.
- Statistically, the White and Gold also led the nation in kills per set (15.18) and assists per set (13.90) in 2021.
- Tech had three returners receive annual honors in 2021 in Bergmann (AVCA First Team All-American, AVCA East Coast Region Player of the Year and All-Region, ACC Player of the Year and All-ACC First Team), Bertolino (ACC All- Freshman Team) and Breland Morrissette (All-ACC Second Team).
- On top of one of the most decorated individual seasons in Yellow Jacket history in 2021, Bergmann spent her summer with the Brazilian national team, helping propel them to a silver medal. She finished second in the competition among the world’s best on serves received (137) while ranking top five on her squad in points (139), kills (121), blocks (11), aces (seven) and digs (80).
- Along with Bergmann, Bertolino and graduate transfer outside hitter Tali Marmen have both gained experience at the international level. Bertolino, an ACC All-Freshman Team honoree in her first collegiate season, trained and competed with Argentina’s national team while Marmen helped Israel’s national team win the 2022 Maccabiah Games.
- The Jackets boast 13 total returners from 2021’s Elite Eight squad heading into the 2022 campaign.
- Joining the incumbents are a pair of transfers, 2021 all-Americans Tamara Oten (Illinois State) and Marmen (UCF), along with freshmen Cara Bianco, Anna Boezi and Mikayla White.
- Reigning AVCA East Coast Region Coach of the Year Michelle Collier will lead the Jackets for her ninth season.
Series Notes
- Georgia Tech and Ole Miss will meet for the first time in the history of both programs on Friday.
- Illinois has taken the previous four meetings against the White and Gold.
Up Next
The Jackets will make their official return to O’Keefe Gymnasium hosting the GT Invitational, facing Dayton (RV), Arizona State and FIU beginning Sept. 2.
Tickets
Season and single match tickets are now available. Secure your 2021 Georgia Tech volleyball tickets online HERE. To view your current account details, you may log into your personal ticket account HERE. If you need assistance, the Georgia Tech Ticket Office may provide more information at 888.Tech.TIX. The Georgia Tech Ticket Office is also open Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm Seating is general admission. Season tickets include only competition days for Georgia Tech.
McCamish Pavilion
Single Match
Adults – $10
Youth (ages 3-18)/Senior (55+) – $5
Group (10+) – $5
O’Keefe Gymnasium
Season
Adults – $65.00
Youth (ages 3-18)/Senior (55+) – $35.00
Single Match
Adults – $7
Youth (ages 3-18)/Senior (55+) – $5
Group (10+) – $3
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarships, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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