WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University volleyball team is well into its spring season, practicing most mornings on individual skill work and putting in time in the weight room with the strength and conditioning staff. The Hoyas also have the opportunity to play in several "playdates", competing in controlled scrimmages against regional opponents.

Shortly after returning from spring break, Georgetown traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia for a playdate with exhibitions against the University of Virginia and West Virginia University, playing each team once in a match of three sets to 25.

The Hoyas came away with victories in both matches, defeating the Cavaliers from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), 3-0, before topping the Mountaineers out of the Big 12, 2-1. GU was able to experiment and try three different lineups in each match as all 10 available players saw action, including Caitlin Brauneis (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) who has had to sit out the last season and a half due to injury.

"We have been working on defense all spring - both blocking and behind the block - and it showed," Georgetown Head Coach Arlisa Williams said. "They have done a phenomenal job in the weight room and it showed. We were faster, stronger, and executed at a high level for six sets. They served great, took awesome swings and played well as a unit."

On Saturday, April 2, the Hoyas hosted Loyola University Maryland for a playdate at McDonough Arena. In the morning, the teams mixed together for drill work and smaller 3v3 and 4v4 games, forcing the players to work on their communication. In the afternoon, the Hoyas and Greyhounds played a scrimmage of three sets to 25.

"We worked on some specific things since our last scrimmages and it was great to see us implement and execute those skills against Loyola," Williams said. "That's hats off to them for their hard work on the court and in the weight room with huge kudos to Chris Tolzman for putting together an awesome strength and conditioning program."

Georgetown's final spring playdate will take place on Saturday, April 16 at American University. Along with the Hoyas and Eagles, George Washington, Juniata, Loyola (Md.), Maryland Eastern Shore and Morgan State will be in attendance. Each team will play 3 or 4, best-of-three matches, starting at 9 a.m.

The Hoyas concluded the 2015 season with a 10-21 overall record and a 4-14 mark in BIG EAST play. The year had several highlights including senior Lauren Saar (Richland, Mich./Plainwell) becoming the ninth player in program history to record 1,000 career digs, freshman libero Kenzie Higareda (Woodbridge, Va./Forest Park) setting the single-season record with 544 digs and freshman Alyssa Sinnette (Pearland, Texas/Dawson) finished with 372 kills, becoming the first Hoya since 2002 to reach 350 kills in a season.