After finishing 10-6 in the Big Sky Conference last season, the Idaho women’s volleyball team moves forward.
Their season begins 9 a.m. Friday against Fairfield in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Junior middle blocker Torri Crawford said the team is looking forward to the new season.
“I’m excited to see how everything is going to come together in a game-like situation,” Crawford said. “We’ve tried to simulate it as best as we can during practice, but you never know until you get into the game.”
Crawford is returning to the court after an abdomen injury sidelined her midseason.
Since their last game against Idaho State in the Big Sky tournament Nov. 20, the Vandals have dealt with injuries and a young lineup with defensive specialist Terra Varney as the lone senior leading 11 underclassmen.
Idaho is slated to finish sixth in the conference polls.Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said she isn’t surprised by the ranking.
“We’ve lost seven players and added six new players on our roster,” Buchanan said. “Voted sixth is probably a good place to be because we got to prove ourselves and it’ll give us a bit of focus and motivation every day when we go into the gym.”
Freshman outside hitter Avery Housley will likely redshirt after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), according to Buchanan. The remaining five freshmen are contending for spots in rotation.
Buchanan said injuries have put a damper on the team’s progress in practice.
“To be honest, it’s been a slow start,” Buchanan said. “Kaela Straw was coming back from foot surgery, Becca Mau from hip surgery and Torri’s hamstring come back so we had to get acclimated a little bit. Right now we’re trying to really break the middle a little bit more at the beginning and go a little bit harder towards the end of our routines.”
Even with several setbacks, Buchanan said there are some bright spots on the court.
“Our ball control and passing starters have done a great job running the offense,” Buchanan said. “We’re going to keep getting better but I really like the tempo and how they’re keeping going for it.”
Crawford said there is a positive side to the injury upsets.
“It gives other girls chances to play in those positions they might not have before,” Crawford said. “It’s making us well rounded.”
Among the team’s dynamic change, Buchanan said Varney has emerged as a leader.
“Terra has been playing really steady, the best that I’ve seen her play,” Buchanan said. “She’s really balanced, staying within the system and doing a great job leading and communicating with the team.”
Varney led with 28 service aces last season and was third in digs with 337, averaging 2.96 per set.
Buchanan’s biggest concern before the Vandals play their first tournament is its offensive numbers.
“Our ball control and our passing is going to be our offensive scheme,” Buchanan said. “We only have two middles and have to keep them healthy all season. With kids coming back from injuries, it’s going to be a little bit different but (the coaching staff) have to make sure that we’re watching the reps and try to put the best possible lineup on each match.”
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TheLTFiles