By Chris Parker
Nevada volleyball struggled through an eight-win season last year with a young roster featuring just two seniors that played regular sets. The Lady Tigers lost their first six matches of the season before winning eight of the final 20 matches.
“Our biggest areas of growth last year were simply getting used to the pace of the varsity level. We had very little experience of what a varsity game entailed and the intensity it requires. As the year went on, our young team continually got used to the pace so we won’t have that initial shock as we did last year,” Nevada head coach Kori Dodson said.
One big area of adjustment was moving from a best-of-three to a best-of-five set format for matches last year.
“The girls learned quickly how much more in shape they needed to be,” Dodson said. “It was a big change, but I think it really made them realize how much more focused they had to be throughout every set. It doesn’t matter if you win sets one and two, you have to stay focused throughout set three. I think we had a game last year where we won set one and two and ended up losing. They weren’t used to playing that long.”
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL SEASON SCHEDULE
Trinity Gayman was the star for Nevada as a sophomore last year. She was named first-team all-conference on the strength of leading Nevada in kills (189), aces (41) and blocks (22).
“The fact that she is so versatile at the net is what makes her so dangerous, Trinity is a player who can put the ball down, but also be a defensive threat with her blocking. The games we had our most success last year were the ones that she took over offensively and shut down their hitters defensively. She is a fierce competitor, who wants to continually get better,” Dodson said. “My expectations are high for her this year to see more of those games that she takes over defensively with her blocking, and more consistency in her hitting, always making herself an option. She has great potential to be a truly dominant player.”
Gayman will play a middle blocker position.
Second-team all-conference selection Jade Feller returns to her setting position as a senior. She had 402 assists last season.
“Jade leads by example on the court and makes great decisions for our hitters and works on getting them plenty of movement. She has continually improved from year to year and that will show again this year,” Dodson said.
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
APPLE – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
ANDROID – CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Senior libero Grace Barnes gives Nevada a third all-conference player to lean on. She was named honorable mention all-conference after she led the Lady Tigers in digs (243) and serve receptions (391).
“She (Barnes) is a firecracker for our team who brings so much competitiveness and is all over the place that fuels our team,” Dodson said.
Junior Emma Leisure will be a six-rotation outside hitter that will be a key both offensively and defensively. She had 80 kills last year. Sophomore middle blocker Delaney Hope was second on the on the team in both kills (103) and blocks (11) last year. Abbey Heathman is a junior outside hitter that gives Nevada a third returning player who posted at least 95 kills last year. She had 96 kills as a sophomore.
“Our biggest strength this season will be how deep we are offensively. I listed five players who are great players and leaders for our team and I could list two or three more. We won’t be as reliant on one person to have to take over, we could throw the ball to any one of our hitters and get success,” Dodson said. “I think different players will stand out each game, which is great for us and will make us less predictable. Plus the fact that we will have experience on our side is another strength.”
CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF THE FALL SPORTS PREVIEWS
Nevada will travel to Carthage for a jamboree on Aug. 24 with the host Tigers, Aurora and Joplin. The Lady Tigers will open the season on Sept. 2 at Mt. Vernon.
“The expectations for Nevada Volleyball are high this year. We knew last year was going to be tough with our lack of experience, throw COVID in along with that, and it made it even tougher,” Dodson said. “This year those things are gone and we are setting the goals high and we are going to do what we need to do to reach them. The girls are all onboard and ready to get started.”
