Upperclassmen have always been relied upon to provide leadership for younger players, but this year the Utah women’s volleyball team is giving new meaning to the term senior leadership.
Outside hitter Kathryn Haynie and middle blockers Lori Baird and Emillie Toone have stepped up their game and are leading the Utes on and off the court.
“No one is more focused or works harder than they do,” said head Coach Beth Launiere. “And everyone is following their example. I can’t say enough about the leadership they are providing for our team.”
One of the Utah senior trio has led the team in kills and blocks in every game this season and has reached multiple milestones and awards while doing so.
Baird and Haynie became the 10th and 11th Utah volleyball players to join the 1000-kill club, and are the only two members of the club to play at the same time.
Baird has also been recognized as Mountain West Conference player of the week twice and College Volleyball Update player of the week once. Toone has also been chosen as the MWC player of the week.
“They are very motivated to have this be their best year and to get back to the tournament,” Launiere said.
The three seniors are averaging eight kills per set and have slammed down 517 kills so far this season, more than half of the Utes’ total.
“They have really stepped up their game and are willing to do whatever it takes to win,” sophomore libero Keisha Fisher said.
The block is the other area the seniors are leading the team, as the three have combined for 221 stops this season.
Baird and Toone are ranked No. 6 and No. 16, respectively, in the nation in blocks per set.
“We are following their examples on the court to help us reach our goals this season,” sophomore middle blocker Karolina Bartkowiak said.
Not only do the seniors lead the team by example, but also with great attitudes and positive reinforcement.
They can often be seen in practice helping out younger players with rotations or understanding what the coaching staff wants.
“You always want leaders to be extensions of the coaches and this year’s seniors really are,” Launiere said.
The team agrees the chemistry the seniors have with the entire team makes them natural leaders.
“They just have a really good connection with everyone,” freshman outside hitter Sarah Hibbert said. “They do things that make it easy to look up to them.”
In practice, the trio motivates and challenges their teammates to work hard to improve their game. Come game time, the seniors not only make big plays but also get the team pumped with cheers and words of encouragement.
“They know what is expected of them and they are taking the responsibility to carry it out,” Launiere said. “Not just for themselves but for the whole group.”
Launiere said hardships the senior class has experienced has made them stronger and prepared them to be great leaders.
“We’ve gone through a lot together8212;deaths, players leaving the program, injuries,” Launiere said. “We’re a very tight-knit group.”
This Saturday, Haynie, Baird and Toone will be looking to lead the Utes to their eighth straight victory as they head to Colorado Springs, Colo., to begin the second half of the conference schedule, taking on Air Force.
Tyler CobbKathryn Haynie celebrates after Utah scored against BYU in last weeks match. Kathryn along with other seniors have helped lead this years by motivating to work harder on and off the court.