A new fall semester means a new season for women’s volleyball, who are coming off of a disappointing 2012 season.
Coach Venera Flores-Stafford said she is more than optimistic about this upcoming season as she and the team is eager to make their 7-23 season a distant memory.
“It’s a brand new season and a brand new volleyball team,” Flores-Stafford said. “Last season, injuries really hindered how we competed. If we can stay healthy compared to last year, we have a great chance to compete in our conference for a shot at the title.”
Although they have been practicing for less than a week, Flores-Stafford said the team is already improving.
“These kids are very impressionable, they’re vocal and they’re very coachable,” Flores-Stafford said. “We don’t have a lot of drama and unhappy people. They’re phenomenal.”
Flores-Stafford introduced two new coaches to the team: Kylie Burns, who was previously a coach at Texas A&M, and Kiara Jordan who was an All-American for Midwestern when she played.
Jordan said she is still getting used to the transition from player to coach but she plans to bring her knowledge and love of the game to the team.
“I believe this is a great team,” Jordan said, “If they put their minds to it, they can definitely win a national championship.”
Burns said the team is going to be very good this year as they work to remedy the team chemistry issues that plagued them in 2012.
“We really want fundamentals to be a priority, and keep drama and other nonsense off the court,” Burns said. “On the court we’re a team and we want to keep them playing the best they can.”
Exercise physiology senior Caitlin Wallace said she is excited to end her collegiate volleyball career on a high note now that the team is more dedicated than before.
“We have girls that really want to be here,” Wallace said. “Last year we had girls that, for the last couple of games, just showed up and were like, ‘I’m done, I don’t want to work anymore.’ We don’t have any of that this year.”
Mass communication senior Brandi Flores said the team has always wanted to win the championship, but this year it looks more attainable than ever.
“We’ve wanted it all four years, but I feel like this year is the best opportunity we’ve had,” Flores said. “From day one, we’ve already had more improvement than we have in the past four years we’ve been here.”
Pre-med freshman Sarah Rosinke said she has good things to look forward to as she is already being pushed in her first week of collegiate practice.
“So far it has been a lot harder compared to what I have been through before,” Rosinke said. “I am a lot more sore, but I am also learning so much and becoming a better player and teammate.”
The team will open up play hosting an eight-team tournament on September 6th at D.L. Ligon Coliseum.
