Volleyball is back at Sacramento State, but this time it's on the sand. The Hornet beach volleyball team has stepped up and is ready to begin the season this Friday against Bushnell University in Salem, Oregon.
Last season, the Hornets ended with back-to-back losses in the Big West Conference Tournament.
The Hornets are led by co-head coaches Ed Jackson and Ruben Volta. Jackson is in his ninth year as the team's head coach, and Volta is in his 12th year.
“The goal is every time you walk on the court and represent you and put on the green and gold and play your best,” Jackson said. “That’s what we strive for: to be the best we can be.”
Other than senior Katie Cordano, the team's star players remain the same. With the departure of Cordano and the injury to junior Bridgett Smith, a 2023 All-Big West Conference player, the Hornets will have to change their lineup heading into the season.
Smith won the prestigious award in her second year and was also the Indoor Volleyball Big Sky Conference MVP last season. She was paired with Sac State's other 2023 honorable mention player, senior Kalani Hayes, an All-Big West Conference player.
Jackson said he expects Hayes to start the season paired with sophomore Greta Davis.
Game plan for the season
“The important thing for us as a team as a whole is that we are building confidence and belief in ourselves,” Jackson said. “We call it 'developing grit' and our words are becoming more and more gritty. ”
Jackson and his players have developed keywords to focus on and help them achieve their goals this season.
“When you see people talking and connecting and evaluating and adjusting between points and rallies, you know, 'Hey, we're just fired up and showing confidence,'” Jackson said. said.
Mentality is the main focus in a beach volleyball program, and phrases to keep everyone motivated, engaged, and positive are just as important to the team's culture as they are to the player's mentality.
“Even if someone makes a mistake or something, it's important to keep a positive mindset,” Jackson said. “Don't get too frustrated. Just tell yourself you can do it. Move on to the next point.”
Adaptation from indoor to beach
Sophomore Kate Dohrn talked about how the players have to adapt to different environments, from indoors on the court to outdoors on the sand where the weather affects the ball.
“We just want more sandy beaches,” Dohrn said. “So it’s just being able to understand the different touches on the ball, understanding how to manipulate the ball under the influence of weather, wind and sun.”
Most of the team are also part of the indoor volleyball team, so the courts and strategies will be even more sandy.
“It's a lot different than indoors,” Jackson said. “Indoor teams usually protect you consistently in some way, so you kind of know what they're doing.”
Jackson said beach volleyball has more ways for the opponent to attack and defend than indoor volleyball.
“You have to be able to collaborate,” Jackson said. “You have to be able to identify what your opponent is doing and adapt to it.”
Related: Sac State volleyball's great season ends against a familiar foe
Attitude to face adversity
Last season, the Hornets finished with a record of 6 wins and 17 losses. They had a great performance at home with 4 wins and 3 losses, but struggled on the road.
“We have a tough schedule in our conference,” Davis said. “Teams in our conference have their own beach programs, so indoor and beach are separate programs for most teams in our conference, but we are coming together.”
The Hornets were able to deal with adversity last season because they ran a combined program rather than focusing on one sport. The team is full of veterans and experienced players who have learned how to approach the season differently.
“It's mentally tough to go through a season without winning a lot, and it's hard to keep going,” Davis said. “We know that’s happened in the past, so we’re hoping we can change that this year.”
Jackson has a degree in psychology, and when you combine that with being in the Sac State Men's Volleyball Hall of Fame, he says he has an eye for what it takes to be successful at this level. It is no exaggeration.
“A lot of times it's more about the mental side of being an athlete. Especially when you get to our level here in NCAA Division I, everyone has the physicality, size, physicality, jumping ability,” Jackson said. .
positive atmosphere, positive results
Positive results come from a positive atmosphere and the team has been focused on having a season with them. The team focuses on reinforcing a positive attitude in their speeches towards each other.
“They came up with this,” Jackson said. “They're like we just want a good vibe. That's kind of the keyword that promotes the idea of encouraging maximum effort.”
A prime example of positive energy is Davis, who returns to his hometown in Oregon to face some familiar faces.
“I’m playing against three of my high school teammates, so I’d love to get a win, but it’s also to set the tone for the season,” Davis said.
