In a conference loaded with talent from top to bottom, the ASU volleyball team garnered an eighth-place vote in the preseason Pac-10 coaches poll.
In 2010, the Sun Devils will once again compete in one of the nation’s elite volleyball conferences. While the competition will be challenging, ASU is working to be a contender in the Pac-10 conference.
“The goal is to be a little bit better than eighth,” ASU coach Jason Watson said. “The challenge for this group and for us as a staff is to work daily to get to that standing. I feel like we are making some really significant progress in some key areas that we hope will get us better than eighth.”
Leadership Core
Watson knows leadership is crucial to success on and off the court. Watson and the Sun Devils established a four-player core leadership group to help guide the team throughout the season.
“Our leadership core stemmed from some feedback we got from our athletes that they felt like there was a little bit of a disconnect between the communication between myself and the team,” Watson said.
The leadership core meets with Watson each week to discuss the team and methods in which the players can be leaders for their teammates.
“I think at times our athletes get thrust into leadership positions and don’t really have the tools to be able to deal with the leadership, so that’s why we have that group in place,” Watson said. “It’s turned out to be an enjoyable experience. I really value their input, value their candor. It’s really been a positive step.”
Sun Devils travel to Camp Tontozona
ASU recently escaped the Tempe heat by traveling north to Camp Tontozona for some preseason training and team bonding. The Sun Devils practiced at nearby Payson High School in preparation for the upcoming season.
“Going to Camp T and staying in the dorms where we had rows of bunk beds all in one room, it really brought us together as a team and not only as a team, but I think we really bonded with the coaches,” ASU senior outside hitter Sarah Reaves said.
In the end, both players and coaches felt the preseason trip was a success.
“There were a lot of positive things that came out of it, some of them planned, some of them completely unplanned,” Watson said. “We were all up there together, [and] we had no cell phone service, which turns out is a big bonding thing.”
Youth Movement
The 2010 ASU volleyball team will welcome seven freshmen. With only two seniors on the squad, the team will feature a youthful look.
The influx of new players on the team has raised the level of competition across the court.
“A lot of them are eager to learn a lot of what the coaches have to tell them and what us seniors and upperclassmen have to share with them,” Reaves said. “I think they really bring a competitive vibe, and they are all looking to play and start.”
Maroon and Gold Scrimmage
The Sun Devils will showcase this year’s team to the public Aug. 20 at Wells Fargo Arena. ASU will hold a Maroon vs. Gold scrimmage at 7 p.m.
The scrimmage will provide the Sun Devils a chance to compete in a game setting.
“Practice only says so much,” Reaves said. “When you get out there and have fans watching it’s a different story. Finally competing in a real setting, even though it’s against one another, it’s going to be exciting.”
Reach the reporter at gregory.dillard@asu.edu
