After losing seniors who had become the face of the program, Vandal volleyball faces the challenge of replacing them with those who just began their first week of college.
But in the 2019 fall camp for Idaho volleyball, the freshmen came to play and exceeded expectations.
After a disappointing end to a great 2018-2019 season that saw the Vandals lose in the Big Sky tournament championship to Northern Arizona, Idaho lost six seniors to graduation. It seemed that Idaho might be taking a stepback after being picked to finish fifth inthe preseason coach’s poll.
But with a young team, sometimes a special season is in the cards if you have the right players.
“I would say this is a true team, in every sense of the word,” Idaho Head Coach Debbie Buchanan said. “In how they treat each other, how they communicate with each other, really supporting each other out on the court, I think that is very rare… I think you can do something magical when you have a team like that.”
With outside hitters Paige Rupiper and Delaney Hopen being the only seniors in the program this year, many would see it as a rebuilding season, but these leaders are looking to make a run during their final year as Vandals.
“I think we are going to surprise a lot of people,” Hopen said . “Just because of our effort and how much we like each other. How much you like eachother goes such a long way in volleyball.”
Outside hitter Delaney Hopen serves the ball against Santa Clara University in Memorial Gym.
One of the messages and themes that Hopen associated with last year’s team was of the cohesion and how tight the team played together and the chemistry they had both on and off the court.
“Last year, one of the best qualities of our team was that everyone was onthe same playing field,” Hopen said.“Everybody was family, everybody was a unit and I think we did a really good job of keeping that cohesion on this team even when you add six new people.”
Nikki Ball, a redshirt sophomore middle blocker this season, had a standout year last season, leading the Big Sky in blocks her first season.
As the only returning middle blocker from last season, Ball is looked upon to become a leader and mentor to the younger players playing the middle of the net.
Ball said three freshmen middle blockers, Kyra Palmbush, Bea Whitlig and Travel Morris, are all progressing nicely.
Buchanan has been impressed with the defensive specialists — the players who work the middle position and back row to help dig balls up and continue a rally.
Sophomore libero Sam Swayze, sophomore defensive specialist Becca Owen, freshman libero Alaina Lacey and Hopen are all players who have brought the energy during fall camp. Although they are a young group, they continue the move toward a more defensive focus approach this season.
One of the most important positions on the court is the setter, who Hopen has said is like the quarterback — nearly every possession goes through them.
Nikki Ball during fall camp Saydee Brass – Argonaut
Hopen said that freshman setter Hailey Pelton has really been impressingthis fall camp, filling in for one of theprogram’s best, Hailey Mathis, who graduated this last spring.
“(Pelton) has stepped up into her role,” Hopen said. “She’s like ‘I got it, I’m good to go,’ so confident. It’s awesome to see.”
Buchanan said that going into this weekend there are still a few things tofine tune, mainly the transition game andmaking sure the players are thinking on their feet and not being out of position.
With still a few daysto go and no definite lineset up, Ball said she feels that the team culture will help separate Idaho from the rest.
“I think this is the most chemistry we have ever had on a team since being here,” Ball said. “I think that is what is really keeping us going… Great energy out on the court, everyone is here to play and wants to be here.”
Idaho starts its season with the Idaho Volleyball Classic this weekend.
The Vandals will play California Baptist University 7 p.m. Friday followed by Cal State Fullerton and University of Illinois at Chicago Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Zack Kellogg can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @kellogg_zack.