Your future, our focus
By SEAN THOMPSON
Powell Tribune Staff Writer
Though they had been practicing formally for less than a week, Northwest College head volleyball coach Sue Pollart said Monday her players are ready to face real competition during this weekend's NWC Invitational.
How does she know? They keep telling her so.
"I think they want to play," Pollart said. "Every day they say ‘we want to play coach.'"
That attitude is indicative of the team's personality through less than a week of practice, Pollart says. The group of four sophomores and six freshmen are self-motivated, passionate about their sport and excited about facing competition.
"They all just really like playing volleyball," Pollart said. "They have a desire to be here.
"The sophomores came in ready for the season, and I have some freshmen that are ready to be here."
One thing the Lady Trappers are lacking is lots of college volleyball experience. Of the four returning players, only two, Jessica Fabrizio and Whitney Kelsey, saw significant time on the court as members of last season's team that finished 21-23 and lost in the Region IX North Tournament. But Pollart says her players are ready and willing to put in the time in practice to be competitive on the court.
"They have a lot of work ethic in them," Pollart said. "They want to progress and get better, and improve their skills every time we step on to the floor."
Fabrizio returns with the most playing time under her belt. The sophomore from Duchesne, Utah will play in the middle or outside up front. The difference between this year and last for Fabrizio is a better understanding of the game, Pollart said.
"Last year, she was just an athlete on a volleyball court," Pollart said. "This year, she's a volleyball player."
Kelsey, from Corvallis, Ore., spent most of her court time last season playing libero, but this season will move to the right side of the court to take advantage of her improved swing at the net.
"Spring ball has really helped her with getting off the floor quicker," Pollart said.
Sophomore Tara Mikkelsen of Hilger, Mont., has improved greatly since last year, Pollart said, improving her arm swing and her ability to get off the floor. Fellow sophomore Heather Drick can play in the middle or outside and has also provided good leadership, Pollart said.
Incoming freshmen make up the bulk of the team, including a local recruit. Breanne Robirds from Powell High School is capable of playing back row, front row or libero, Pollart said.
"She has such a passion for the game," Pollart said of Robirds. "Even between practices, she's out there making herself better."
Stepping in at setter may be Meggy Stephenson from Rawlins. Pollart said Stephenson is like having a coach on the floor with the way she communicates with her teammates.
"She's working hard to learn the system and where the ball should be going across the net," Pollart said.
Possibly rivaling Stephenson as an on-court communicator is Whitnie McDonald of St. George, Utah. McDonald will play on the outside and will be used at the point of attack, putting away balls at the net.
"She has a really nice swing and can put the ball away," Pollart said. "She's really explosive off the ground."
The team's tallest player at 5-11 is Shawna Sutherland from Albin. She can play back or front, Pollart said.
"All of her skills are good," Pollart said.
The team's shortest player, Jennifer McKibben of Baggs, stands only five feet tall. She has played both setter and libero and will likely do some of both for NWC.
"She's not very big, but she plays bigger than she is and covers a lot of area on the floor," Pollart said.
One more newcomer joins Pollart on the sideline as her assistant coach. Joseph Moore of Kemmerer has been a welcomed addition, Pollart said. Moore is relatively inexperienced as a coach but did play high school volleyball at Thermopolis.
"It's fun to have someone else to work with and to throw ideas at," Pollart said.
Because this season's squad does not possess a lot of size, Pollart is placing emphasis on digging, controlling the ball and playing defense.
"You can make good hitters real discouraged if you never let them put a ball down," Pollart said.
The teams to look out for will likely be Sheridan, Western Wyoming and Casper, Pollart said, the traditional powers in the state. But one thing Pollart says she can count on no matter who her team is playing is strong effort from her players.
"I just don't like my teams to be out-hustled, and I don't think this one will be," she said.