The Idaho volleyball team has mostly underclassmen on its roster, giving younger players the opportunity to fill gaps left by Jessica Hastriter, Stephanie Hagins and Alyssa Schultz, who were seniors last season.
At first, the results weren’t good when the Vandals faced tough opponents outside of the Big Sky Conference, but that’s how Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan prefers it. Buchanan likes playing a tough nonconference schedule – like Hawaii at the beginning of the season – because she thinks the team benefits long-term and it helps Idaho’s RPI (Rating Percentage Index).
I was skeptical on how the team would finish the season because the Vandals struggled to reduce their hitting errors.
Although it’s still on Buchanan’s mind, she brought an interesting point up on how the team doesn’t need to make too many adjustments going into the final week of the regular season.
It shows how confident Idaho is as a team – and who can blame them? They’re on top of the Big Sky North division after defeating Eastern Washington Saturday.
However, if there’s one part of the season where Idaho’s confidence level grew, it has to be when Idaho was challenged in three consecutive five-set matches, and won all of them.
The Vandals beat Portland State Oct. 8, Sacramento State Oct. 10 and Montana Oct. 15 in five sets each.
Those games showcased how this young team had a different mentality and relied on everyone to step up her own game.
Whether it is sophomore outside hitter Sarah Sharp earning the most kills in a match after coming off the bench or freshman outside hitter Kaela Straw closing the match with multiple kills in the final set, it does not matter who is on the court for the most part. Each player gets the job done when she enters the game.
Another unique attribute Idaho has is its approach. The Vandals focus on the next play. Say senior outside hitter Katelyn Peterson earns a kill, the energy level increases among the team and it becomes stronger because the players are excited to succeed.
But when things go rough like the Vandals’ 3-0 loss at Idaho State Oct. 24, they become a more effective team.
Let’s not forget when Idaho faced Southern Utah and Eastern Washington last week. It lost in the third set but would outperform each team in the fourth set to win the match.
After the win against Southern Utah Nov. 5, senior setter Meredith Coba said the Vandals were angry about losing the third set and entered the next set with a sense of urgency.
In sports, you must have a strong mentality to brush off a frustrating loss and try to outperform your opponent next time. For the most part, Idaho has done a great job overcoming adversity.
There’s no quit in this team.
The only question remaining is whether the Vandals stay on top of their division.
That will be Idaho’s next challenge. The Vandals lost to North Dakota Thursday night in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and will finish the regular season against Northern Colorado at 11 a.m. Saturday in Greeley, Colorado.
This week will truly tell how competitive Idaho can be going into the Big Sky Tournament Nov. 19-21. But based on how far Idaho has come as a team, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Vandals do retain the top spot in the North division going into the tournament.
The Vandals are hitting their stride late in the season and growing as a team at the same time.
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected]