Summer officially ended for the FGCU volleyball squad Monday as players reported to the first practice session at Alico Arena to prepare for its first match of the season on Aug. 27.

The Eagles hit the weight room at 7:30 a.m., followed immediately by a morning practice session and a second afternoon session.

Under the guidance of third-year coach Dave Nichols, the Eagles return 11 players, led by All-Conference performer Jelena Simic from the club that was runner-up in the 2009 Atlantic Sun Championships and was 15-5 to finish third in the A-Sun season standings. Nichols also welcomes six newcomers to the program, including former women’s basketball standouts Chelsea Lyles and Adrianne McNally.

“You’re always hopeful about the first practice,” said Nichols. “The team came back in better shape than they did last preseason and they were very attentive and detail oriented, which made the first practice go well.”

FGCU kicks off the season by hosting the Homewood Suites Volleyball Classic at Alico Arena Aug. 27-28, where they take on Bethune-Cookman, UCF, FAU, and Houston Baptist.