Seiji Wood
Sports Editor
With most of its core coming back, the ISU volleyball team is set to build off last season into the 2018 campaign.
In 2017, the team went 11-19 and 8-8 in conference play, but have high hopes of being more competitive this year.
The team took a step back in 2017 after a 16-15 record in 2016, but with more experience in 2018, they will look to get back on track.
The Bengals have nine letter winners returning while only losing four from the year before. Of those nine, the Bengals have three returning starters in junior Brooke Peherson, sophomore Taylor Meeks, and senior Abby Garrity, while welcoming junior libero Haylie Keck back to the roster.
The Bengals lost two starters from the 2017 roster.
“I’m really excited for this year,” Peherson, a middle blocker said. “We have a lot of talent in the gym and we have quite a few returners that have experience playing. Also, the players that are incoming with the freshmen and transfers are super talented and they’ll play a big role for us as far as competition in practice and filling needs on the court.”
Experience and talent will be key when expectations grow higher. Regardless of what those expectations may be, Peherson and her teammates don’t feel pressured.
“I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily pressure,” Peherson said. “I think it’s more of a confidence we have because we have been playing together for such a long time…we play together really well. So, it should be good.”
The Bengals have been preparing for their season since the summer. They attended coach camps in July, which Peherson mentioned was really important for the team to get to know each other and already have a bond created before the start of the season.
“Now we’re ready to just play volleyball,” Peherson said.
Also new this year is Beau Lawler, who was hired as an assistant coach.
“His experience at Utah and his familiarity of the area along with his reputation for being a good scouter all factor into this decision,” said head coach Rick Reynolds. “It meant a lot to our team and me to be able to grab someone of his qualities in July and add them to our program.”
Lawler said he’s excited for this opportunity and is ready for his primary role of scouting and game planning for opponents.
“I know what (Coach Reynolds) has got going on here and it’s a strong program with a lot of great athletes, so I’m tremendously excited he wanted me to come here and be a part of it,” Lawler said.
Excitement always seems to be a common theme at the beginning of every season from both players and coaches, but the players say that fans should have reason for excitement too.
“You should expect a fun environment at our games,” Peherson said. “As far as talent wise, I think we’re going to be pretty good and so we’re going to have a lot of good games. Everyone else in the conference is pretty good as well. So, I think there’ll be a lot of tough fought matches.”
The Bengals will open their season this Friday, Aug. 24, in Atlanta against Georgia Tech and their first home match will be the following Friday, Aug. 31, at Reed Gym against University of California Riverside.
