Bryan Cole / Collegian File Photo

Second-year coach Netherby-Sewell and Bulldogs move forward from 2008 pitfalls

With the bumpy 2008 season behind them, the Bulldogs̢۪ volleyball team is determined to put more W̢۪s on the board and make it to the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Top 6 this time around.

The Bulldogs finished the 2008 season with an overall record of 7-20, 3-13 in the WAC.

The 2008 season was viewed as a learning experience for the team and second-year head coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell. At the end of that season, the team united for training and a back-to-basics volleyball program.

Coming into her second year as head coach, Sewell said that she will be helping the players refine their plays and improve their strategies.

“First year was very complex. It looked rough in a lot of ways, but we’ve improved in a lot of intangible ways,â€Â Sewell said. “We have also improved our plays, so it will be a lot cleaner and more aggressive.â€Â

Sewell said in the first year, she and her coaching staff were focused on changing the pre-existing system, which the players had difficulties getting used to. The volleyball program received a complete makeover, which came with a lot of hard knocks and conflict.

“We changed the entire culture of the program and got our systems into place,â€Â Sewell said. “Now we’re putting a lot of our good stuff together and putting our athletes in place as well.â€Â

Bryan Cole / Collegian File Photo

With the team more accustomed to Sewell̢۪s style of coaching, they have been learning volleyball in a whole different perspective. Senior setter Allanah Munson said that the coaches have done a great job in going back to the fundamentals of volleyball.

“They’re great, they have a natural, smooth style of coaching that I’ve never seen before. This year will be a whole lot better from the last one,â€Â Munson said.

Blocker Kelly Leonardo said that she has learned a lot from Sewell – not just on the court.

“She’s the best coach I’ve ever had, not only in volleyball but in life lessons as well,â€Â Leonardo said.

Sewell said because of the overwhelming season, the team fought through a lot of criticism, which made them stronger as a unit. She describes their relationship as “one big, happy family.â€Â

“Going through a year with so many lessons, we’re a lot closer and we can handle anything,â€Â she said.

As they look forward to this coming season, the team has a lot of advantages in their favor such as not losing a senior from last year.

They also have four newcomers that will add depth to the team. Three freshmen, Melissa Brand, Taylor Horton and Cecilia Agraz along with sophomore transfer, Kelli Parker.

The veteran players have been training harder since the newcomers arrived and contested the status quo.

“We have 4 newcomers who are bringing competition to the team so we actually have to fight for a spot this year,â€Â Leonardo said. “So now, we have to always be prepared and be ready to go. It’s like a whole new mentality for playing volleyball.â€Â

The players have all been vigorously training, but some of them have impressed the coaching staff with their improvements. Sewell said based on their fitness and strength training, junior blocker Lauren Berger and Leonardo have stepped up in the weight room.

Leonardo said she wanted to break the power clean record ever since she started playing for the Bulldogs and recently during summer workouts, she tied the record with 82.5 kilograms (181.5 pounds).

The seniors all have one goal in mind before they graduate – to leave a legacy they can be proud of.

Since last season was a disappointment for the Bulldogs, they want to show what the team is truly capable of.

“Teams and coaches and fans have been underestimating our potential but they don’t know how hard we’ve worked. They will definitely be surprised this season,â€Â Leonardo said.