The last stage of the tough season is upon us.

Since the last post we haven't returned any injured players and it looks like we won't get them back for the remainder of the season.  We ended up playing 2 of the better offensive teams in our conference in Doane on Oct. 25 and #18 in the country Dordt on Oct. 29.  This team played well and had opportunities to win a set or two in each of those matches which include a 36-34 set loss to Dordt.  The cards are stacked against this team right now for the final matches of the season as we battle through the tough situation of losing key players constantly through this season.  Even with the unfortunate injuries to our roster the players that have been given their opportunities to step into the lineup have given everything we can expect from their effort. It has also been great to see some of the other players that have now had their roles increased to be able to handle the pressure of being a go-to player.  It has been a great experience for these players and important for their maturation to become strong players in this program in the near future. 

We are heading into our last 3 matches with a little confidence after the positive things that came from the match against Dordt.  We have to stay in control of our emotions and have discipline skill execution.  We have some opportunities to still win some matches over the next 3 matches so we will certainly find out the fight that remains in our players at this point of a very tough season. 

I believe in this team still and expect to see them all play well, play aggressive, and play with passion.

- Coach V

The month of October Came and Went with a BANG (to our roster)

It has certainly been a while since I really sat back and evaluated enough things to write a blog post.  So I apologize to those that are always anxiously waiting to here about the DWU Volleyball program through our blog. 

Well for those of you that have been in the loop for the past month you probably know that the subject line for this blog entry is unbelievably true for us.  Ever since our Oct. 1 match date we have been replacing primary varsity players roster positions with primary JV players due to injuries. We've lost 5 players to season ending injuries (a 6th & 7th are possible after doctor visits today and Monday) and then another 1 or 2 are attempting to get back into practices next week.  It has been a daunting challenge for our players this month but I am very proud of each of them for accepting different roles and trying to be as positive as one can be in this situation. 

As expected with the near 12 different starting lineups we have used this season that our consistency of play has been more like a roller coaster.  However, we have had some phenomenal moments of play this month where we are clicking on all cylinders as a team.  It shows a lot of promise in our team that there are some very good things ahead of us.  At this point we are trying to keep our heads held high and grind through work each day; make a 1% progression with our skills and techniques individually every day so that we can remain focused on the process rather than the results.  

We are still preparing ourselves and striving to win every match, we just need to make sure that our goals and thought processes are geared more towards how we accomplish our victories and not the victories themselves.  

- Coach V