Last season, the Wentworth women's volleyball team finished 8-16 overall and 2-6 in conference, good enough to make the Commonwealth Coast Conference for the second straight season. This year they have a new outlook and plenty of new faces. Wentworth Athletics sat down with second-year head coach Evin Giglio to discuss the upcoming season.

WIT: Coach, it looks like you have a brand new team out there. How did that come about?
EG: Well even though this is my second season, it's my first recruiting class. We graduated three starters and we had some big needs to fill. I wanted to make a big splash and create a new culture. I think we're on our way with the seven new players we added.

WIT: How have the last two weeks of practice been? It can be tough with that many new faces.
EG: Probably the best thing about our team is the group of players we have. They've been a pleasure to be around and have a really great attitude. Much of what I'm teaching is pretty new to them, but the girls have done a really good job having a grown mindset. They definitely want to get better and compete hard in practice.

WIT: You coach both men and women at Wentworth, does that have a negative impact on how much time you can spend with either team?
EG: I think it's the opposite way around. We have a good formula for success that applies on both sides of the road. It's worked thus far on the men's side as we had one of, if not the best season in school history. There's no reason we can't have that same success on the women's side.

WIT: So you expect a better outcome for the girls this year?
EG: Not just me, the players as well. They weren't satisfied with how last season played out. The new members of the team are hungry to prove themselves as well. The Commonwealth Coast Conference has some really strong and well-established programs so it's not going to be easy.

WIT: Who are you going to look at to be a leader and make a big impact?
EG: Volleyball is such a team game and you need to have all your players on the same page. One player I'm looking at to captain the back row will be my junior libero, Sam Curran. She's a two year starter and has the potential to dominate defensively. We also have a sophomore transfer, Hannah Bailey, who figures to play a prominent role for us this year.

WIT: It sounds like you're ready for a good season
EG: I'm definitely excited to get rolling. We open the season in New York (at the Kings Point Invitational) and it should be an exciting weekend. We have plenty to work on, but we're off to a good start.

The women's volleyball opens their season on the road at the Merchant Marine Academy Friday August 30 at 7 pm.