Volleyball is implementing new strategies this offseason on offense including being committed before the ball is set or released from the setter’s hands.
“In order to have a committed offense, you have to have really good passing, serve, and receive and you have to have everyone on a certain step at the release,” said coach Rosie Wegrich.
Volleyball is lowering their offense and the team is making sure the ball is not in the air in order to beat the block.
The team is shifting its sets and focusing on a long-distance set called the ghost set, meaning the outside hitters have to be late and patient but very explosive going into their jump.
“This spring our team focused on getting stronger and I can say that this has been the strongest volleyball team I have every played on and I think people are outshining what their capabilities seem to be,” said junior middle blocker Kristen Hamlin.
Volleyball is creating late closing middle blockers so the offense becomes faster than the defense.
“They are stronger than I have seen, the strength coaches have helped them gain upper body strength, and therefore we are hitting the ball stronger,” said Wegrich. “It all boils down to ball control as well.”
The team is losing three key seniors from last year’s team: libero Samantha Figueroa, setter Alina Smith and opposite hitter Alexandra Gresham.
Volleyball is rebuilding in the setting department and decided to slide Kristen Hamlin from middle blocker to outside hitter for most of spring.
Volleyball added four freshmen in the offseason: middle blocker Camille Boone, outside hitter Sarah Clausen, outside hitter Savannah Meinert and setter Kira Zimmerman.
“We are looking forward to the new freshman, we know that they are going to add new life to the program,” said junior middle blocker, Desi Martin. “It’s exciting to see everyone come together as a team working and striving for the same goal.”
The team opened spring play with a two-match tournament hosted by the University of Southern California.
In game one, the Broncos lost to Division I Fresno State before sweeping Azusa Pacific 3-0 in game two.
Cal Poly Pomona will host spring tournaments on April 21 and 28.
The Broncos have missed out on the CCAA Championship Tournament the last two seasons.
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