The 2019 Harding Volleyball team is comprised of 16 players, 8 of whom are freshmen.
\nJazmyne Johnson, Harding volleyball graduate assistant, explained that one of the most important aspects of working with freshmen is getting them acclimated to college ball. Johnson reminded that it takes time for student athletes to learn a balance between academics, their sport, a social life and everything else that comes along with beginning college. Finding balance on the court is essential as well.
\n\u201cEveryone is at the same level at this point, it\u2019s just getting them to play as one,\u201d Johnson said.
\nThe team is beginning to establish their personality and reputation as they finish week four of their season.
\n\u201cThe first few weeks have been really fun and exciting,\u201d Freshman team member Libby Hinton said. \u201cWe have played some really good teams this year that have pushed us to play our best.\u201d
\nHead Volleyball Coach Meredith Fear, said she was excited about the young players and the potential they have.
\n\u201cThe consistency we are still missing, but they definitely have the drive, willingness, and readiness to play,\u201d Fear said.
\nThe new team is working diligently under the leadership of their coaches to achieve consistency, and Fear said they are establishing a deep bond with each other. Different players have stepped up in different games to help the team.
\n\u201cWe don\u2019t have a starting line up, or starters … but it\u2019s also great because anybody can go in at any moment and feel like they are a part of it,\u201d Fear said.
\nJohnson and Hinton agreed that the team is flexible and good at working together.
\n \u201cAlmost everyone on the team has multiple positions that they can play, so it gives us an extra edge against our competitors,\u201d Hinton said.
\nThough the absence of starters is unusual, the three appeared to agree that it has turned into somewhat of an advantage.
\nThe players adaptability proved true when one of their few juniors got hurt in the first few weeks. Two freshmen, Hinton and Kelli Mckinnon, had to pull into the middle positions because of this injury, and according to Fear, have done so with grace
\n\u201cThe freshmen we have are ready to compete today,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cCoach Fear did a great job of getting players that are ready to make an impact.\u201d
\nCoach Fear said she is excited for freshmen players to experience big moments. In the match against Ouachitau Baptist on Sept. 26, as it was tied 13-13 in the fifth match, Coach Fear realized the junior libero was on the court, but the rest were freshmen. Here was a chance for them to have a big moment and gain wisdom from that moment for the future.
\n\u201cWhile I think we can do bigger, better things in the big picture, in the small picture where we are still trying to figure that out, it feels uneasy,\u201d Fear said.
\nShe said she feels confident in her teams\u2019 ability to gain the needed consistency, however.
\nThe Harding Volleyball team is currently 9-6 overall and 2-2 in conference play. The volleyball team\u2019s next game is Tuesday, Oct. 8, at home. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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