Indiana University Athletics
Volleyball Opens Preseason
8/10/2015 8:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Student-athletes get new gear, team pictures and hold first practice of 2015.
By Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
Indiana volleyball's 2015 season unofficially kicked off with a welcome back barbeque Sunday night.
The Hoosiers and their families gathered to celebrate the beginning of a new season.
Like with most every new season, there was a noticeable energy about the team, senior outside hitter Amelia Anderson said. But it wasn't the same energy from previous years.
Players like Anderson and senior captain Courtney Harnish weren't nervous about the start of a new season like in years past—they were excited. They were eager for the challenges ahead and confident in their team.
That excitement was evident in Monday's first day of preseason practice. Anderson said it was the best first practice she's been a part of in her four seasons in Bloomington.
"We're excited. I think that comes with seniority and knowing what to expect," Anderson said. "We worked really hard for this day, and I think we came in and really showed what we did all summer."
Indiana's goals have been clearly defined by the players and coaching staff this season. The Hoosiers want to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010. That year, the team advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
The Hoosiers watched the NCAA Tournament selection show as a team last year despite knowing their 6-14 Big Ten record wasn't likely to help them qualify.
Dunbar-Kruzan wanted her players to see just how close they were to achieving what she called their "ultimate goal."
Anderson and her teammates know what's in front of them and use last year's shortcoming as a motivation.
Watching the NCAA Tournament selection show and not seeing Indiana appear on the board continues to be the team's motivation.
"It drives us every single day," Anderson said. "We have a new motto, 'Find a way.'
That's finding a way every day in the gym, but also finding a way to the tournament. That's our ultimate goal."
Dunbar-Kruzan was pleased with her team's effort right from the start Monday.
She liked the team's attitude and energy level in both their morning and afternoon sessions. They'll return to the court once again tomorrow in preparation for the season, which begins Aug. 28 against Bowling Green.
"We're always chomping at the bit to get back in the gym and kind of see what they did over the summer," Dunbar-Kruzan said. "I think we've clearly defined out goals, what we want to work on during practice. Everybody's on the same page. I think we'll hit those goals every single day and really hit those priorities."
With five seniors on the team, Dunbar-Kruzan and Anderson both agreed the Hoosiers have a much more veteran feel than last year's group that featured only one senior.
The experienced team has led to a stronger bond as well, Anderson said. The players were quickly able to welcome three new freshmen into the locker room during the summer and have been able to bypass some of the beginning stages of having to get to know each other as teammates.
That's given Indiana a bit of a head start in practice even just one day in. They're hoping to keep the momentum going into the coming weeks and begin their quest to return to the NCAA Tournament on a high note.
"We know what to expect in the Big Ten's," Anderson said. "We know what kind of work we have to put in these next few weeks, but we're excited about it."
IUHoosiers.com
Indiana volleyball's 2015 season unofficially kicked off with a welcome back barbeque Sunday night.
The Hoosiers and their families gathered to celebrate the beginning of a new season.
Like with most every new season, there was a noticeable energy about the team, senior outside hitter Amelia Anderson said. But it wasn't the same energy from previous years.
Players like Anderson and senior captain Courtney Harnish weren't nervous about the start of a new season like in years past—they were excited. They were eager for the challenges ahead and confident in their team.
That excitement was evident in Monday's first day of preseason practice. Anderson said it was the best first practice she's been a part of in her four seasons in Bloomington.
"We're excited. I think that comes with seniority and knowing what to expect," Anderson said. "We worked really hard for this day, and I think we came in and really showed what we did all summer."
Indiana's goals have been clearly defined by the players and coaching staff this season. The Hoosiers want to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010. That year, the team advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
The Hoosiers watched the NCAA Tournament selection show as a team last year despite knowing their 6-14 Big Ten record wasn't likely to help them qualify.
Dunbar-Kruzan wanted her players to see just how close they were to achieving what she called their "ultimate goal."
Anderson and her teammates know what's in front of them and use last year's shortcoming as a motivation.
Watching the NCAA Tournament selection show and not seeing Indiana appear on the board continues to be the team's motivation.
"It drives us every single day," Anderson said. "We have a new motto, 'Find a way.'
That's finding a way every day in the gym, but also finding a way to the tournament. That's our ultimate goal."
Dunbar-Kruzan was pleased with her team's effort right from the start Monday.
She liked the team's attitude and energy level in both their morning and afternoon sessions. They'll return to the court once again tomorrow in preparation for the season, which begins Aug. 28 against Bowling Green.
"We're always chomping at the bit to get back in the gym and kind of see what they did over the summer," Dunbar-Kruzan said. "I think we've clearly defined out goals, what we want to work on during practice. Everybody's on the same page. I think we'll hit those goals every single day and really hit those priorities."
With five seniors on the team, Dunbar-Kruzan and Anderson both agreed the Hoosiers have a much more veteran feel than last year's group that featured only one senior.
The experienced team has led to a stronger bond as well, Anderson said. The players were quickly able to welcome three new freshmen into the locker room during the summer and have been able to bypass some of the beginning stages of having to get to know each other as teammates.
That's given Indiana a bit of a head start in practice even just one day in. They're hoping to keep the momentum going into the coming weeks and begin their quest to return to the NCAA Tournament on a high note.
"We know what to expect in the Big Ten's," Anderson said. "We know what kind of work we have to put in these next few weeks, but we're excited about it."
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