By James Kay
Despite its disappointing season last year, the Iowa volleyball team is beaming about its maturing team chemistry and new team mantra.
The Hawkeyes have developed what senior defensive specialist/setter Alyssa Klostermann calls their “team mission.” True mental toughness is a concept they have bought into in their two weeks of preseason play.
Head coach Bond Shymansky calls the toughness an “expectation” he has for the players every time they walk on the court.
“[Toughness] has four components: having a great attitude, treating others really well, being unconditionally grateful regardless of your circumstance, and giving your very best,” Shymansky said.
On the physical side of their preparation for this season, the Hawkeyes have also added a new element to their game — they now have four players they are confident in handling the outside-hitter position. Both Klostermann and Shymansky raved about the team’s newfound depth at the position.
“When someone isn’t having the best game, it’s hard for her to get out of their funk,” Klostermann said. “For us, we have a lot of numbers and depth to be able to rotate in [the outside-hitter position]. That is huge.”
Shymansky echoed that belief.
“This is the first time in the three years that I’ve been here that we finally have a lot of depth at every position,” he said. “We have a lot of dynamic and explosive hitters, which gives us a lot of options.”
Despite having many different faces around the locker room, the Hawks believe they have hit a groove.
“Last year was my first year playing in the Big Ten and going up against the best teams in the country,” said senior starting setter Loxley Keala.
“I think having a year under our belt with the style of play and competitiveness of the Big Ten will allow us to move forward this year,” she said.
The Hawkeyes had seven players start every match last season; five of them return this season.
Weekend tournament
This weekend, the Hawkeyes will travel to DeKalb, Illinois, for the Northern Illinois Invitational. Last season, the Hawkeyes were eliminated by Northern Illinois in the tournament. Though their tournament exit last year is still fresh in their minds, they focus on what looms ahead.
“The teams we are playing this weekend are good,” Klostermann said. “We’re going into this tournament with a chip on our back, but we know who we are, and we are ready to go.”
The Hawkeyes will have to go through Loyola and DePaul before they can seek revenge against Northern Illinois. Their first match starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.