This time of the year can be tough for a team. The season is winding down, and the semester is full of schoolwork as midterms and finals loom. Weekend trips still permeate Utah Volleyball’s schedule, and the team has already played 25 matches. It can be hard for the players to not only keep their spirits high but keep their bodies healthy as well.
Junior Tess Sutton knows full well that it takes a lot of extra work to keep their bodies in peak shape after the rigors of a long season.
“Extra reps, extra sleep, eating well,” Sutton said. “Kind of preparing yourself for longer times in the gym.”
As the season drags on, the players are leaving every other weekend and taking long trips to play other Pac-12 teams. Every other weekend (and sometimes two weekends in a row), Utah has taken a road trip to a different state for a pair of matches.
From Washington to Oregon to Arizona to California, these are not short trips. The team usually has to fly out on a Thursday or Friday and come back late Sunday night so the players can be home in time for classes the next day.
Sophomore Eliza Katoa has her own way of getting prepared for the long trips.
“I make sure that I’m physically hydrated,” Katoa said. “I take care of my body since we don’t have all the equipment and treatment facility with us on the road. I just have to make sure I’m physically prepared.”
Along with road travel comes weekly practice. The team usually practices three or four times a week, only taking days off immediately following a match or directly before a match. Even on those “days off” players still hit the weight room, study film, do yoga or even take part in a light practice.
Between class and team activities Adora Anae starts out her day at 8 a.m. and doesn’t finish until after 6 p.m. This does not include homework, studying and other personal activities Anae has to attend to every day as well. This demanding schedule is typical of most college athletes.
“Sometimes I have to even tell them to get out of the gym,” said head coach Beth Launiere. “Sometimes you just have to get some rest.”
Freshmen making names for themselves
As this season started, one of the biggest storylines for this Utah team was its youth and inexperience. There were many freshmen and sophomores, and this team had a completely different look than last year. It was a tall task for Launiere to mold this team into a contender, but she was ready for the challenge.
“I’ve always been motivated by what’s next,” Launiere said. “Every year is a new year. My motivation is to take a group of players and form them into a team. Every year is different from any other year.”
So far, Launiere has accomplished her goal. Three redshirt freshmen and two true freshmen have gotten large portions of playing time on this team. Middle blocker Berkeley Oblad has played a crucial role for the team and recorded 18 kills over the weekend. Setter Jessie Jorgensen has consistently led the team in assists, including a season-high 54 against Cal.
Additionally, Meghan Shughrou has overtaken Tess Sutton’s libero position, and Emma Kirst has risen to a starting role where she is relied on heavily next to Brenna DeYoung. All of these freshmen have been put in crucial roles and are performing to expectations.
So close to sixth
Kendall Cygan is six assists shy of overtaking Katie Gesto for the sixth spot on Utah Volleyball’s all-time assists leaders. For four long years, she has played significant time, and it looks as though all her hard work will pay off when the Utes take on Arizona in their next match.
This record has been a long time coming for Cygan. With splitting time at the setting position with Jorgensen, Cygan has been increasingly close to the milestone all season. She is within a single match of reaching the mark. This will only help to further cement her legacy as one of Utah’s greatest setters and a player who knows exactly what it means to be a Ute.
“Utah Volleyball is a proud program and I’m happy to be a part of it,” Cygan said.
Cygan has been a mainstay with this program and Utah will miss her presence when she graduates.
@Twelvegage96