Washburn athletics are gearing up to have their first regular season games this week.

Each team has been hard at work preparing for the fall season and the coaches have good feelings about their players.

On Thursday, the women’s soccer team will take on the Minot State University Beavers at 6 p.m. New head Coach Chris Jones has a good outlook on this year’s team.

“I feel that the team is really starting to come together and play the style of soccer that I want to bring to the program,” Jones stated in an email interview.

“They are starting to really understand what I want from them and what they want for themselves. I feel that we are ready and prepared for our first game.”

The team was picked as the 12th-ranked team in the MIAA preseason poll, and after last season’s no-win record, Jones is hoping to bring change to 2015.

The Ichabods will also compete against the Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs at 1 p.m. Sept. 6.

“As far as expectations go, I put a lot of that on the players and allow them to have high expectations for each other and for the team,” Jones said. “As a team, we set goals, and our goals for this season are attainable and I think we can achieve those goals if we play like we know how to play every game.”

Volleyball will stay at home as their season takes off with a doubleheader against the South Dakota Grubby Miners at 1 p.m. and Augustana College Vikings at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4.

They will continue the next day with another doubleheader versus the Black Hills State University Yellow Jackets at 11:30 a.m. and then the Drury University Panthers at 3:30 p.m.

Chris Herron will start his 14th season as head volleyball coach. Herron has a lot of confidence for the season as well as for his team. Herron gave an email statement on the season.

“I could give you one of the standard coach’s cliché answers, but the fact is, that at Washburn, we always have high expectations.”

Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams will begin their seasons this Friday with an all day invitational at Emporia State that will continue on Saturday.

Coming off a 4-11 record last season, head coach Lance Lysaught believes the incoming players will greatly add talent to both teams.

“We have several new players for both tennis teams this year and the talent level for Washburn tennis has definitely increased,” Lysaught said in email.

“Coach Joost and I are eager to see our players in live tournament matches which will aid us in with the evaluation and developmental aspect of coaching new players. It is clear that our teams will be deeper this year, but the impact on the win/loss column remains to be seen. We are looking for a much stronger year on both sides.”.

The Ichabod football team will travel to Lindenwood University this Thursday to play the Lions at 7 p.m. Head coach Craig Schurig said a few weeks ago that he has a good group this season and he and the assistant coaches really anticipate them playing their hearts out.

For a full schedule of all Washburn fall sports, visit wusports.com.