There is no doubt that the Georgia volleyball team is a team yearning for leadership and experience.

A roster replete with underclassmen has performed well so far this season albeit against lesser competition.

The Bulldogs (8-2) defeated Colgate, Siena and Long Island – teams with a combined 6-18 record – en route to winning their first tournament of the 2009 season last weekend in Brooklyn, New York.

Although Georgia was able to sweep all three matches, starting two sets down as they did against Long Island will be harder to overcome as the schedule gets tougher.

“It was a good learning experience, that we can’t warm up to playing [the match],” sophomore libero Carla Tietz said. “We need to start right away and that’s a for sure thing with the [Southeastern Conference].”

Despite their early success this season, the Bulldogs and head coach Joel McCartney are well aware that they still have a lot to learn as they head into conference play.

“It’s hard to learn lessons when you’re winning, especially with a young group,” McCartney said. “After the Georgia Tech and Duke losses everyone was really attentive in the locker room and eager to improve.”

The Bulldogs will head to Tuscaloosa, Ala. to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide (2-8) on Friday night and officially open up SEC play for both schools.

Following their match with Alabama, the Bulldogs will hit the road again to play Mississippi State (4-7) in Starkville, Miss. on Sunday afternoon.

Going on the road can be challenging for student-athletes and that difficulty isn’t lost on McCartney.

“Everybody’s been through road trips except for the freshmen,” McCartney said. “These young athletes are student-athletes, but they’re students first, and they have a lot on their plate between homework and tests, [and] it takes a lot of effort to get through these road trips.”

Added Tietz: “We had a good preseason so far, and I think that we have a good record and strong confidence right now going into this weekend. As a sophomore, I’m not as nervous, and I know what to expect, which is a lot better than being a scared freshman.”