The women’s volleyball team has made it through summer training and the first three weeks of practice without so much as a glitch. The team is injury-free and ready for the upcoming season, which is something it couldn’t say a year ago.
The Utes, who were coping with the surprising departure of two of its best underclassmen in Airial Salvo and Syndey Anderson, as well as the season-ending loss of blocking sensation Emillie Toone, have been preparing all summer, both physically and mentally. The Utes kick off their season with a home match against Utah Valley University on Friday
“Everybody has been working really hard,” said head coach Beth Launiere. “The team overall, is in good shape.”
Strength training and conditioning throughout the summer has helped the team through the rigorous two-a-day practice schedule that has kept them busy for the last couple of weeks.
“We still have a lot of work to do to be ready for the season,” Emillie Toone said, “But (we) are just going to take it one day at a time.”
A traditional five-day team retreat to St. George gave the team a chance to prepare for the season mentally, a ritual that included team bonding, meeting with a sports psychologist and a distraction-free environment to focus solely on volleyball.
“It is a great opportunity to spend time with the team,” Launiere said. “It’s five days of focus on volleyball and team dynamics.”
Since starting practice a few weeks ago, multiple changes have been made as it pertains to the team’s lineup.
Changes include getting sophomore Keisha Fisher adjusted to her new role as libero and moving Lori Baird from the middle to the right side.
“With such strong middles we have the luxury of moving Lori to the right side and getting her a lot more balls,” Launiere said. “Her role on offense will be significantly increased.”
Adjusting to the return of middle blocker, Toone, is a change the team is gladly accepting. After sitting out last season due to a knee injury, the 6-foot-7-inch senior brings a dominating presence back to Crimson court.
“She adds a whole other dimension to the team, she is a huge blocking force,” Launiere said, “She forces hitters to do something different.”
Toone said she is eager to get back out on Crimson court with her team and to be playing for the Utah fans again.
“I love playing on this court,” Toone said. “It feels amazing to be back.”
Although Launiere says that the starting lineup is almost decided, who will be playing in the crucial setters position is still up in the air.
Incoming freshman Abby Simmons and returning sophomore Stephanie Shardlow have been battling for the position since practice began.
“They know I haven’t made a decision yet,” Launiere said. “Both girls are working really hard and challenging each other.”
Despite the lack of a principal setter, Launiere says her team has been able to improve significantly over the course of the preseason.
With no major injuries, the team has been able to focus on implementing a new system, that could include a return to Launiere’s preferred 6-1 rotation as opposed to the 5-2 she implemented while Fisher and Shardlow shared time at the setter position.
“We are way ahead of last year and on target to be prepared once the season starts,” Launiere said.
While there is still a lot of work to do before their first match on Friday, both the players and the coaches feel confident that they will be ready to go come game time.
“We have been working really hard all preseason,” Toone said “We are ready for the season and really determined to be the best in the conference.”