Women's Volleyball Season Preview
Fresh off their first CCAA championship, the Rustlers Women's Volleyball team is ready for the chance to defend their title and this year's team will look much like that championship team from a year ago. "We had 13 players last year" Head Coach Austin Dyer said, "12 returning this year so we are in a really good spot. The expectations this year are going to be high regardless, but it is going to be a matter of focusing on what we can control and the process of getting to where we want to be" Dyer said.
Leading the Rustlers this year will be 5th year middle Alyssa Grondin and 3rd year players, setter Rae Sigurdson, left side Ahnika Kuse and left side Shelby Becker. The starting lineup remains intact with right side Avery Maginel and middle Chelsea Steinely, allowing them to get better and grow as a starting unit.
Joining the 12 returning players are 6 new players, giving Dyer the largest team he has ever had. "The only reason our team is as big as it is is because of the level that these girls are at," Dyer said "they are all very good players." Dyer is looking to the new players, as well as the bench from last year, to help with the team's level of play and get back to the level they were at last year. While repeating as CCAA Championships isn't the only goal, it is definitely something on the players' minds, giving them something to work towards all season.