Though the women’s volleyball team’s season ended in a first-round loss in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) playoffs, coaches and players alike are confident about the future. “Like all wins and losses, we can learn from them as a team,” said Glenda Dellinger, Women’s Volleyball Head Coach. “We have to learn from the mistakes of this season and go back to the drawing board.”
The team ended with an 8-18 overall record and a 3-7 conference record; however, 11 letter-winning returnees for next year’s team leaves the women with a confidence that next season will bring significant improvement.
“We can always get better,” said Dellinger. “Improving is made easier when you begin the season with a large number of veteran players.”
One promising player said to be returning is first-year Brittani Leathern, who received all-ODAC honors as a mid-hitter. “This season has allowed us to get closer as a team,” said Leathern. “Our togetherness provides a base for a great next season.”
Leathern explained how becoming a better volleyball team starts before the team matches up with opposing players. “We get better through practice,” she said. “With the leaders we have on the team, we are destined to get better.”
With returning captains Becca Jones and Leah McKinney, as well as almost every player coming back, the Quakers will be one of the more experienced teams in the ODAC. “You always learn from the mistakes you make,” said McKinney. “It is just a matter of taking the good from all our games.”
McKinney explained how this season was no losing effort. “It’s not as if we have nothing to show for this season,” she said. “We produced great plays and showed that we always fight no matter what.”
“They played with a heart that isn’t easy to beat,” said Dellinger. “With that determination, next season promises improvement.”
The women, though ending the season under .500, start next season with the most returning letter winners in the conference.
With ten rising sophomores, the women’s volleyball team looks to utilize its youth more than it has in previous seasons. “The talent of our youth is really promising,” said Dellinger. “Our youth is our strength, because it gives us even more time to develop.”
With 11 first-year players returning, as well as Dellinger’s attempt to recruit more experienced players, the next few years for the volleyball program give players a heightened sense of confidence.
“We are a young team, but that only adds to our resilience and determination,” said Leathern. “Next year, we’ll be able to use both our youth and experience as an advantage.”