Volleyball has had a rough start getting back into the season but was able to secure their first wins on Sept. 10 and Sept 11. against Eastern New Mexico and Arkansas Tech then later continue that streak winning against Texas A&M International 3-2 on Sept 17.

Lauryn Bourne (No. 2), chemistry junior, said she is excited that she can finally play volleyball without having to worry about a mask.

“I’m actually really excited about it because I can actually play volleyball without having to worry about wearing a mask…but it is a little bit more stressful because now I don’t have the ability to do zoom for class whenever we are on the road,” Bourne said.

Bourne said with the addition of eight new players, the team just needs to work on chemistry together in order to make something magical happen this season.

“I am really excited to get back into the groove of things, especially with the addition of eight new players, it’s really going to be something magical we just need to work on chemistry together on the court more and hopefully execute the upcoming games,” Bourne said.

Taylor Anderson (No. 3) mass communication senior says that playing with little to no restrictions reminds her of how things used to be pre-COVID-19.

“I like it, it reminds me when we used to play so I really do enjoy it…it’s just kind of sad because now that we don’t really have those restrictions and COVID-19 is still out there, it’s honestly become do or die if you have test positive for COVID-19 or not, so please go get vaccinated. But yes, I really am happy to return to normal volleyball,” Anderson said.

The first five matches of the season volleyball had lost, Anderson believes it comes down to team chemistry.

“We have the skill, I think it just comes down to team chemistry, we have eight new people on the team so trying to put them all together and trying to work and be on the same standards and goals we have is going to take more time than we anticipated but I know we can definitely come up from it,” Anderson said.

Anderson, now a senior, says that the biggest difference she sees in herself and has learned is the importance of your mental.

“What I’ve learned the most throughout my time here is just how important your mental game is, when I was a freshman, I didn’t understand that; I just thought about winning physically but winning mentally is so much better and so much more important. Now as a senior, I just really focus on my mental game and honestly just having fun and enjoying my life and not stressing about the little things because at the end of the day, those don’t really matter,” Anderson said.

The next match for Volleyball will take place this Friday, Oct. 8 against Texas A&M University-Commerce at D.L. Ligon Coliseum at 6 p.m.