Photo by: Volleyball
Hampered with injuries and illnesses throughout the season, the Pioneer women’s volleyball team could have just rolled over and died.
However, the team did not, and, with a large contribution by freshmen, the team has fought its way to a 9-12 record heading into the heart of its Sun Belt Conference schedule.
“It has kind of been out of necessity for the freshmen to perform at a high level,” said head coach Beth Kuwata. “We have had a few injuries up to this point and needed them to progress as the season has gone on and they absolutely have done that.”
The Pioneers have received contributions from freshmen Brea Muhle, Alex Turgeon and Colleen King who rank No.1, No. 3 and No. 4 in kills on the team, respectively.
Not to be forgotten is the impact of the upperclassmen on helping the freshmen to assimilate to the college game and setting.
“I have just tried to help them make the transition as smooth as possible,” said Kresson Vreeman, senior setter. “On the court, I try to play with confidence and help to give the people around me confidence by making plays when we need them at crucial points.”
With the significant freshmen contribution and strong senior leadership, the team appears to be finding its groove after falling to 6-11 overall and 0-3 in the Sun Belt Conference.
They dominated in the first two conference games of their five-game home stand against Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe, winning each match 3-0.
The team won its third consecutive SBC game last Friday when they knocked out Arkansas-Little Rock 3-1 behind the great play of Muhle, who finished with 20 kills and six blocks.
“We want to keep improving everyday and with every opportunity we get,” said Vreeman. “Especially with all the adversity we have had so far with injuries we just want to find our consistency because it has been kind of a roller coaster so far.”
The Pioneers dropped to below .500 in conference play when they lost 3-0 to Arkansas State on Sunday.
However, with everyone accepting their role, whether it be as a team leader or an everyday contributor, it appears that the team has found consistency. In addition, the team has built strong chemistry, which they believe can help them win.
“My favorite part is interacting with all the girls,” Muhle said. “They are like sisters to me and I don’t know what I would do without them.”
The team will culminate its five-game home stand against conference foe North Texas today. If the team can win, then they will be 4-4 in conference play with eight more conference games remaining.
“We talked about it at the beginning of the season, trying to get better every single match, and we are still trying to do that,” Kuwata said. “If our younger players continue to get better we’re going to be a great team at the end of the season and that’s what we’re aiming for.”
With all the roadblocks that the Pioneers have faced this year, it seems all they can do is continue to rely on the youth to flourish.
