Preparations for the upcoming season are underway for the Washington Demon volleyball team. Entering her third year as head volleyball coach, Julliana Berg is focusing on making the 2015 season more fun for her players.

“If we don’t have fun, then why do we play volleyball? We play volleyball because we like it, we enjoy each other’s company, and we have fun playing the game.” Berg said, “Sometimes it becomes more work to these girls and I want them to enjoy their experience.”

Berg is hoping more fun on the court can help the Demons improve on a 6-23 overall record and a 1-7 Southeast Conference mark season a year ago. Four players were lost to graduation off of last year’s squad, including second team all-conference setter Lauren Swan and all-conference honorable mention Sydney Hoffman.

Senior Morgan Kimball, an all-conference honorable mention last season, is scheduled to return to play for Berg this fall. Kimball finished second on the team in aces (29), third in digs (124) and fourth in blocks (11).

Berg says a factor to an improved season in 2015 is minimizing the team’s unforced errors, “It was one of our biggest issues last season, and it’s an issue many teams have.” Berg said, “Things such as serving errors, hitting the ball out of bounds, or miscommunication on the court. Simple things which if we make a little better everyday, it will make a huge difference.”

The Demon volleyball team opens practice on Monday, with the first regular season competition being a weekend tournament in Grinnell on Saturday, August 29. Listen to an interview with Berg about the upcoming volleyball season on this week’s PM Sports Page, heard On Demand at KCIIRadio.com.