Coach's Corner
Nov. 5, 2002
Like many games, volleyball is a game of mistakes, and despite our best effort, we are all prone to make mistakes at one time or another and in varying degrees of importance. This truth, of course, is even more pronounced in a team environment where we often find it difficult to not only minimize our own mistakes, but also simultaneously provide a support structure to help our teammates minimize their own. Mistakes in defense, such as missed assignments or ineffective blocking, can be minimized if the floor defense is stellar. Likewise, mistakes on offense, such as ineffective passing, can be overcome by wise and accurate setting followed by superior attacking and disciplined hitter coverage. It's called covering your teammate's back.
Yes, mistakes inevitably do occur and when teams of similar talent and athleticism match up it is usually the team that makes, or is forced to make, the most mistakes that ultimately looses the match. Despite coming out at home with good chemistry and high energy, your Falcons simply made too many unforced mistakes this past weekend to beat Utah and BYU. But that is the beauty of this sport...it provides a constant daily challenge to continue to improve, as individuals, but more importantly, as a team.
More importantly we saw some very promising performances this weekend. One major change was moving Sophomore Lamecca Jefferson from the left side to the right. She did a great job attacking adding 22 kills on the weekend, and the "new look" helped us out-block Utah 9 to 5 in total team blocks. We also had an absolutely stellar performance by freshman middle Kristin Hamlett who stepped up her game against BYU with a career high 20 kills, .567 hitting % and 5 blocks against BYU. It is so exciting seeing our younger players coming into their own and provide such promise for the future of Air Force Falcon Volleyball!
So, again this week I'll repeat my creed...no excuses...just a vow to be our best every day...win or lose. Falcons are a team of character that fights hard and faces each day together, with optimism.
With only four regular season conference matches to go, we set our sights on Wyoming first, then CSU. We are going to set small, focused goals within each upcoming match in order to improve our overall team synergy.
Can we repeat our win over Wyoming but at their place this time-as hostile a venue as we have in the MWC? I believe we can and our players believe we can...we just need to cover each other's backs.
Thanks for your continued support. Go Falcons! -- Coach Penny Lucas-White
