Focusing on the last past couple of weeks, with the future in mind, SantaClaraBroncos (SCU) chatted with five Bronco volleyball players this week in anticipation of Friday's WCC opener at USF on Friday night. Kirsten Mead (KM), Mary Shepherd (MS), Sabrina Clayton (SC), Danielle Rottman (DR) and Taylor Milton (TM) all shared their thoughts as they prepare to begin WCC play.
SCU: Last weekend the team went 2-1, opening the weekend at UC Santa Barbara on Friday night with a loss. But the team rebounded to win both matches on Saturday. What was the difference?
DR: Losing is never our desired outcome. Every match we prepare the same way and work hard for the win. We knew that we had to move forward and get better. We got back in the gym and were able to work on things that broke down during the match.
SC: The team could have been more aggressive during the match. And that would of led to better serve-receive passing, and would have helped during the match a lot.
KM: In our game against UCSB we had a hard time just settling into the match and playing our game. We allowed UCSB to take control of the game and go on serving runs. UCSB had the momentum throughout the majority of the match, and we were struggling to side out. If we had been able to get into a rhythm and minimize our errors while also playing aggressively, the match may have had a better outcome.
TM: The loss really helped motivate us and want to get back in the gym with things to work on and get better.
SCU: What do you think you learned from the match?
KM: We realized that there are just some games where we are not playing our best, but we still have to play aggressively and fight for every point.
SCU: The team rallied to defeat a good Northern Illinois team 3-0 on Saturday morning and then win 3-2 at Cal Poly Saturday night.
KM: Against Northern Illinois we did a better job of taking control of the match by siding out more efficiently, minimizing our errors and slowing down their primary hitters with our block. We were able to put our loss against UCSB behind us and focus on what we needed to do to defeat Northern Illinois.
MS: We spent a lot of time in practice focusing on the teams' offenses we played last weekend, which helped us to get two victories.
SCU: This question is for the returnees. Can you talk about the play of Kirsten and Natasha (Calkins) last weekend?
MS: This past weekend, Natasha and Kristen were huge contributors to our team's wins against Northern Illinois and Cal Poly. All three of our freshmen are fitting in well and having a positive impact to the team. Kaity Edwards is also playing really tough in the middle.
DR: Kirsten and Natasha are doing a great job stepping on the court as freshmen and making an impact. Kirsten is running a 5-1 offense her first year on the team and is doing a great job. Natasha had an amazing, break-through weekend in her matches against Northern Illinois and Cal Poly. She was unstoppable in the middle and contributed to both of our wins.
TM: Kirsten has started off running a nice offense for us, as well as Natasha has come in and made a great impact blocking and hitting. Kirsten is leading the WCC in assists which is really good for a freshman.
SC: All the freshmen have been doing great and have really added to the team's performance and energy. Natasha had a great weekend - she has been hitting great and has been a great weapon in the front row. Kirsten has also been setting great and really helping us to be able to run a great offense.
MS: I am excited for all of our freshmen to be part of something really great this year. We scored big time with our new freshmen teammates and are thrilled to have them! They are an awesome group of talented, fun girls that have already made our team better.
SCU: What matches are you looking forward to this season in the WCC?
DR: I'm looking forward to playing all of our WCC rivals. We play the same teams every year in conference and we know it is going to be a battle.
TM: I'm looking forward to going home and playing USD in front of my hometown crowd for the last time. I am also looking forward to making my last round of trips out to each school in our conference. And of course playing in the Leavey Center!
SC: I'm looking forward to finally being able to reach the goal of winning the WCC, by playing conference matches. We have a big rivalry with many of the WCC teams, which always makes the matches more fun. The WCC has had a really good preseason.
SCU: The WCC has three ranked teams and looks really strong again this year.
DR: Every night is going to be a competitive match. I am an extremely competitive person so I look forward to working as a team to beat teams and accomplish our goal of winning WCC.
MS: I'm really looking forward to being part of a team that continues to grow, improve and fight to win. We have talented players who are dedicated to working hard and contributing in whatever way possible to our success. We all have important roles to play and a common goal that depends on the efforts of our whole team. We work hard, but we also enjoy our time together. This is a great group of people, and a fantastic team to be a part of.
SC: We all need to trust each other 100% of the time and just give it our all for the team no matter what.
MS: We are feeling strong and ready to compete and win the WCC this year. Go Broncos!
