Team play and plenty of kills have SDSU off to a great start in Phil McDaniel’s first year.

Early season tournaments can often be viewed as a primer to the conference schedule, and the SDSU volleyball team appears to be ready for the top coat of paint.

Competing in the Georgia Southern Tournament Aug. 26 and 27, the Jackrabbits went 3-1 overall, with victories over Montana State, Georgia Southern and Jacksonville.

“We had a really good weekend. I’m happy with the way we finished. We had one little stumbling block, but other than that, not too bad,” new head coach Phil McDaniel said.

McDaniel takes over a talent-laden SDSU squad that qualified for the Summit League Tournament in 2010. Highlighting the returning talent is reigning Summit League player of the year Kelli Fiegen, as well as senior and four-year starter Ellyce Youngren.

The Jacks sprang out of the regular season gates with a four set victory over Montana State by scores of 25-21, 25-18, 21-25, and 25-18 to give McDaniel his first win as SDSU’s head coach.

Junior Kaitlin Klingemann started her season out on the right foot by knocking down 11 kills in 20 attempts with only