In recent weeks, temperatures in Raleigh have reached record highs, often breaking triple digits. Despite practicing in a gym without the comfort of air conditioning, a determined group of young women at Reynolds Coliseum hasn’t let the heat affect its play.
The volleyball team has been hard at work holding two-a-day practices in an effort to prepare for the upcoming season.
Last year the Wolfpack finished 2-29 overall and was winless in ACC play during coach Charita Stubbs’ first season. Although they have struggled in the past, the team looks ahead with a positive attitude in hopes of making a drastic improvement.
“I’m really enjoying this season so far,” sophomore setter Allison Davis said. “Obviously it was a rough season last year. But we have improved 110 percent, and all the returnees are stronger because of last year.”
The team only features eight players from last season, however the returnees bring plenty of experience as five — including Davis and senior Ashley Wallace — are returning starters.
According to Wallace, Stubbs expects the veterans to work hard in practice and carry it over to the games.
“It’s a lot more intense. Drills are faster. She demands more of us,” Wallace said. “She expects us to follow her instructions and not to be told more than once or twice to do what she says.”
Meanwhile, 10 freshmen have joined the team and some could make an immediate impact.
Senior Andrea Bentley said the addition of so many new players has been a positive change for the team.
“Now we have a lot more personality. We have more competitiveness,” Bentley said. “Everybody is bringing something to the table and contributing something to the team, and that’s really great to see.”
Wallace said the team has spent a lot of time together during the preseason both on and off the court in order to become a more cohesive unit.
“We practice every day, twice a day. We eat team breakfast, and normally after dinner, we have team bonding activities,” Wallace said. “So we’ve gotten to know each other pretty well.”
With so many new faces, the coaching staff has come up with some innovate ways to build trust amongst teammates. According to Davis, this year is all about stepping outside the box to create chemistry with bonding activities like surveys and karaoke.
“We have great team chemistry this year. All of the girls get along, and all of us really have that desire to win this year, the desire to work hard,” Davis said. “We are taking the time to know each other better on and off the court so that we can play better when we are on the court.”
At the annual Red & White Scrimmage last Friday the team made its first public appearance on the court at Reynolds Coliseum. Davis said she was particularly pleased with the play of the newcomers during the match.
“It was very high energy and very competitive. I think it shows that we have a very deep bench this year,” Davis said. “We are counting on the new players we have this year to fill in the holes along with the players returning this year, and I think we will be very competitive.”
State has only won one ACC match in the past five seasons, but players said they hope this season they can finally turn it around. The team has set goals for hitting percentage, passing and GPA. But according to Wallace, the players’ first priority is simply to win.
“I would like to see us finish top six in our conference,” Wallace said. “That would be awesome.”
In her final year of play, Bentley said she is hoping to have her best season yet.
“I would like to finish off the year and be proud of everything I’ve done — not regretting anything and not wishing I’d worked harder,” Bentley said. “I’m going to give it everything I have for my last year.”
