The Gustavus Volleyball team is back in action and have spiked this year’s expectations by showing exceptional form throughout preseason and the opening non-conference games.
After two opening losses at the UW-Platteville tournament, the team has kept strictly to winning. They continued in winning fashion on Wednesday night, when the women opened the MIAC campaign with a 3-1 win against number one ranked Bethel University. The win came after an impressive performance by Senior Alyssa Taylor, who has high hopes for this season.
“Our goal this season is to make it to the National Tournament. With that being said we would love to finish conference play leading the MIAC. Our conference is by no means an easy conference to be successful in. We will have to fight tooth and nail all season against MIAC teams in order to win. I know that our passion and desire is there and this team has what it takes to be at the top,” Taylor said.
That same passion and desire is felt by fellow teammate and Senior Sarah Schuetz, who shares Taylor’s belief that any team is strong enough to win the MIAC.
“Any team can win on any day but we are confident that we will be prepared to do what we need to do. I believe this is our strongest team in my four years here, we just need to play our game and bring it each match,” Schuetz said.
The person responsible for the infused confidence is Head Coach Rachelle Sherden. Although she carried her team to a playoff berth last season, she believes something is missing. This was expressed by setting early season goals, right after the team were swept in the quarterfinals by College of St. Benedict.
“We set our team outcome goal after last season and have focused since last spring season and during this preseason to take one day at a time and focus on the process that is required for our team to ‘achieve the uncommon’, which is one of our mottos. Our goal is to be playing for a conference title and in the NCAA tournament but we haven’t had to say that more than a few times. Our players know what our team goal is and we focus on being in the moment and taking one day, one practice, one game, one drill, and one point at a time,” Sherden said.
Becca Woodstra and Alyssa Taylor reaching over the net
to block a spike against Concordia last year.
Taylor, who has been part of the MIAC All-Conference
team two years in a row, played an important role
when the Gusties took down number one ranked
Bethel University on Wednesday night.
The approach is working beyond doubt. The team came back from their trip to Rhode Island with four wins in four attempts, only leaving three sets behind as they swept both Western Connecticut State University and Salve Regina University.
“The trip to Rhode Island was amazing. We were able to get out there and play some great Gustie volleyball. We knew absolutely nothing about the teams we were playing so we were forced to focus on our play. When we focus on how we are playing and not worried about what the other team is doing, great things happen and that is exactly what got us the four wins this past weekend. I think we have learned how to control our emotions, both positive and negative ones, and have learned to ride the ups and downs that make up volleyball, which has really helped us,” Taylor said.
Taylor’s enthusiasm over the preseason expedition is shared by her coach. With a record of 6-2 before the MIAC opener, and new recruits finding their spots on the team with the guidance of appreciative upperclassmen, Sherden has no reason to believe this season is not going to be successful.
“They are clicking well because they are locked in and bought in. Plan is to keep it that way,” Sherden concluded.
The Gusties take on UW-Stout and Luther College on Friday, Sept. 19 at Gus Young Court.