2011 Mustang Volleyball Season Outlook

2011-12 OUTLOOK

Expect More, Give More

The 2011 Western Wyoming Community College volleyball team enters the season with expectations at an all-time high.  The Mustangs are ranked #3 in the NJCAA Preseason Top 25 National Poll.  Rick Reynolds, entering his 4th year as head coach, returns five starters and a total of 12 sophomores from the 2010 team that finished 3rd at the NJCAA National Championship.  The Mustangs have five newcomers who joined in the quest to bring continued success to Rushmore Gymnasium.   

With so many returners, Reynolds is excited for the challenge of defending the Region IX North Championship.  “It is exciting to have a lot of players who experienced last year’s success return.  This experience should be beneficial but our goal is not to live off of last year’s team.  We have to build our own dreams and earn our own respect,” Reynolds stated.  “This team is totally different and it is important they take control early and keep their minds focused on the process we have to go through to earn respect and achieve our goals.”

Preseason Notes

Setters—Makayla Keck returns to lead the Mustangs at the setter position after a freshman season that saw her compile 349 assists, 23 aces (.62 per set),  and 88 digs.  Her knowledge and experience of the offense and players should be beneficial.  Alexis Strom has joined the Mustangs this fall to work with Keck in leading the offense.  Strom knows how to win, is very savvy, and is known for being a gym rat.  This work ethic will be a great addition to the program. 

Liberos—Cori Perrault and Kortnie Christiansen return for the Mustangs at the libero position.  Perrault, widely considered the best libero in Region IX North and the heart of the defense, had 592 digs last season to finish 14th in the NJCAA.  Christiansen is a great leader who played in a defensive specialist role for much of the season finished 92 digs in 42 sets played. 

Outside Hitters— Candace Clifford, Kara Cotter, Brooke Friesen, Olivera Medic, and two freshmen, Alise Larsen and Larissa Reynolds, will compete for time on the left.  Depth and competition are important and at this key position, the Mustangs may be as deep as anyone in the country.  Medic, a 1st Team NJCAA All-American in 2010, returns after pounding out 425 kills, 14th most in the NJCAA, and 470 digs, 37th most in the NJCAA.  Cotter returns after posting 274 kills and 364 digs.  Clifford returns healthy and Friesen had a great spring and both should bring a lot of competition to the gym.  Freshmen Larsen and Reynolds bring a lot of high level club experience and a tremendous amount of athleticism to the outside hitters.  Both are expected to push for playing time immediately.  

Right Side Hitters— Susan Lindley and Viktorija Teivane are returning on the right side and provide the team with a lot of stability.  Teivane looks to build off a season where she put down 325 kills and dug up 368 balls.  Lindley returns as one of the top players off the bench in 2010 with 74 kills and 96 digs.  The competition for playing time should be exciting all fall.  Adding freshman Nicole Soifua only raises the level of competition.  Her blocking, hitting, and raw athleticism should allow Soifua to make an immediate impact in practice and in games. 

Middles—Arielle Allen, Jocelyn Ostermiller, and Breonna Phillips all will compete for time at the middle position.  Allen returns after collecting 230 kills and 127 blocks, 18th most in the NJCAA. Ostermiller provided depth in 2010 but will be expected to take on a bigger role in 2011 after making great strides in the spring during competition.  Phillips is coming off an injury that held her out of spring practice.  Her experience from last fall and her competitive spirit will be beneficial for her as she competes for time in 2011.  Hannah Schorr is an athletic middle who joins the Mustangs this fall.  She should compete for playing time right off the bat and will definitely raise the level of play in Rushmore.   

Quotes on the Upcoming Season from Head Coach Rick Reynolds

Outlook for the 2011 season…
“Our goals for this season are the same they have been since I took this position; win the Region IX North Championship and maintain a team GPA of 3.3.  With the experience we have returning and the players we have added for this fall, I believe we have the ability to accomplish both of our goals.  This program has a chance to become someone teams recognize as one of the best year in and year out.  This expectation means we have to continue to work hard and prepare to earn respect every day.  The challenge is exciting and I think this team will rise to that challenge.”

On the goal of winning the Region IX North Championship…
“I set this goal for our team every year and it was exciting to accomplish it last year.  I believe we have the talent and resources here to achieve this goal every year.  The level of competition has risen in Region IX in the three seasons I have been at Western Wyoming.  Two of the top three finishers at the NJCAA National Championship were from Region IX.  That had never happened before.  We have had some turnover in our coaching ranks this season in the North but I do not think that will change the direction the region is going.  The success has brought some strong coaches into the region and it will be a tough battle this season.  We will prepare as hard as we can to be ready for it.”

On the expectations of the 2011 Mustangs…
“This is a really experienced squad.  This can be a good thing and a bad thing.  The good is they know what it takes to be successful.  The bad is they experienced so much success young and have the potential to relax a little.  One of my goals is to remind them daily that this team has not accomplished anything yet.  It is important they go out and earn respect and prove the 2011 Mustangs are a team willing to pay to price to succeed.  I am really excited about the potential we have but it’s just that potential.  As one of the quotes we are using states, ‘Expect more, Give more;’ the expectations are higher and so is how much we have to give to become who we want to be.”