Idaho looks to finish its preseason strong this weekend at the Grand Canyon Classic taking on Nebraska Omaha, Grand Canyon University and California State, Northridge.
The Vandals take to the road to Phoenix, Arizona this weekend for their last preseason tournament before they start Big Sky games against Portland State University on Sept. 26.
A young team: Idaho has a very young team led by only two senior athletes for this 2019-2020 season. Senior outside hitters Delaney Hopen and Paige Rupiper lead six true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen this season.
This team consists of many younger players who have only been playing together since the start of the season.
Idaho’s inexperience has shown this season through lack of communication on the court and lack of trust towards other players on the team during key points in a match.
Head Coach Debbie Buchanan said that this is something that they are working on and will get better at with time.
Following a legacy: After the 2018- 2019 team’s tear through the Big Sky Conference culminating in a second-place championship finish, this young team has big shoes to step into and fill.
The transition from having six seniors to only two is a challenge, as the experience of playing together as a team is not there, but Buchanan said she is excited to see what this team will be as the season matures.
Young talent: Although this team is young, there is a high level of talent in many of these players. Junior outside hitter Avery Housely and sophomore middle blocker Kennedy Warren (who has been playing as a pin) have led the team’s offense in scoring, as Idaho utilizes a pin heavy offense.
Freshman middle blocker Kyra Palmbush and redshirt sophomore Nikki Ball have stepped up the center offenseand defense by taking control of the net ingames that Idaho has won.
Idaho’s setters, following last years senior setter Haylee Mathis, are learning to see the court and call a strong offense that exposes opposing teams’ weaknesses.
Preseason so far: The Vandals have been busy preparing for Big Sky
Conference play since the end of August. This weekend will mark 12 games in just four weeks for this team. The Vandals (3-6) have a .333-win percentage with three tough 0-3 loses so far.
GCU Classic competition: The Vandals will not play any Big Sky competitors this coming weekend, but do have work to do against some tough teams.
Idaho first faces off against the Nebraska Omaha Mavericks (6-5), who have played more preseason games than the Vandals and have a better percentage to this point.
Idaho then takes on the GCUAntelopes (8-1) who have dropped only 10 sets in nine games. The Vandals have dropped 21 sets in the same amount of matches, so this will be a tough competition for the team.
Idaho finally plays the CSUN Matadors (3-6) who have played a few Big Sky teams. The Vandals have what it takes though as the Matadors lost
to UNLV who Idaho won against this previous weekend.
Where/when: The Vandals begin play 4:30 p.m. Friday against Nebraska Omaha at the Grand Canyon University Tournament.
Connor Swersey can be reached at [email protected]