After a 2018 season that ended with a 15-16 record followed by an offseason that yielded a coaching change, low expectations for Hawkeye volleyball in 2019 seem inevitable. Despite coming off a disappointing season and a rollercoaster of an offseason, the Hawkeyes remain confident heading into 2019.

“We’re definitely at a point with the program where we’re proving that we can get wins,” newly appointed head coach Vicki Brown said.

Brown’s voice has been both steadying and motivating for the Hawkeyes this offseason. Iowa has embraced the scrappy underdog mentality and seems poised to make a shocking move into the Big Ten spotlight in 2019.

“We’re growing our belief and courage to always go out and keep swinging,” said Brown. “When I asked the captains how they would describe this team, grit was the common word.”

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Brie Orr, a junior setter, wants to use that grit the team has so much of as an advantage come game time.

“In the past we’ve always been so close to winning a lot of big games,” Orr said. “This year we really want to capitalize instead of being so close. We want to take those games and get a big win out of them.”

Orr also laid out the mentality the Hawkeyes need to win big games.