SAN ANGELO – The Angelo State volleyball team got the test and results it was looking for when it traveled to Odessa on Saturday morning to take on Texas-Permian Basin in the final scrimmage of the preseason.

After the first two scrimmages of the preseason presented few challenges, the Belles felt pressure against the Falcons who took the first set before ASU rebounded to win the next four sets. The trip was the first time the Belles played outside of the Junell Center this year. ASU will play its first eight matches this season on the road, including a trip to Denver, Colo. in two weeks where they will play four matches - including No. 3 Cal-State Bernadino.

AngeloSports.com talked with ASU head coach Chuck Waddington in his office after the Belles returned to San Angelo on Saturday to get his impressions of the scrimmage and where the team is at with only six days remaining before the season starts.

Waddington the Belles' scrimmage against Texas-Permian Basin:
“I was really impressed with UTPB's ability to defend. They touched just about every ball and did a great job of frustrating us early on. They forced us to persevere through their strong play. We couldn't get frustrated when we didn't get first-swing kills and we had to stay focused through long rallies. As the match went on, I liked the way that we adjusted to their defense.”

Waddington on shifting attention to the regular season:
“We really start to get focused on other teams now. The first weekend is hard because of the unknowns that exists with all teams out there. We don't have film or any real information on them. All you can really do is prepare yourself to be the best you can be and go out there and play your game. As the season goes on we'll have more match preparation than training. It will be good to get in a routine.”
 
Waddington on where the Belles are at with six days left until the first matches of the season:
“I think we are a little ahead defensively of where we were last year, but offensively we still have room to grow. We have to iron out some errors and locations. We have to start putting the ball in positions where we can score a little easier. We always have to pass better and serve stronger, but I'm very pleased with the effort that our team has displayed the last two weeks.”

The Belles, who also scrimmaged Hardin-Simmons and Western Texas College in the preseason, dropped only one set out of 15 in scrimmages. Angelo State is coming off a 31-6 record in 2011 and won their first NCAA Division II tournament match in 20 seasons. The Belles open their season at the Rattler-Hilltopper Classic on Aug. 31 with a doubleheader against Southeastern Oklahoma and St. Mary's in San Antonio and then will play Southwestern Oklahoma and St. Edward's on Sept. 1 in Austin.

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