Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Tomas Redondo
Players out to calm coach's summer worries
7/19/2019 2:00:00 PM | Volleyball
Hilbert knows experience can raise concerns
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Coaches worry. About everything.
Even when a roster looks like a stress-free environment – which would be the case for Colorado State volleyball coach Tom Hilbert – it's simply a mirage to them, because they can find the soft spots.
The Rams don't lose a single kill from a team which posted a 23-8 mark, won the Mountain West title for the 10th time in 11 seasons and qualified for the NCAA Tournament a 24th year in succession. Katie Oleksak is back at setter, the reigning two-time Mountain West player of the year, to guide a roster which is dominated by five seniors. Two of them, Kirstie Hillyer and Paulina Hougaard-Jensen, form the most dominating set of middles in the conference, whether you want offensive production or blocking prowess. Outside hitter Jessica Jackson found her form last year, and all junior Breana Runnels has done the past two seasons is break modern-era records for most kills by a freshman (2017) and the most in a single season (454, 2018).
See, that's the problem.
"I believe with a team as old as this one is, a lot of it is up to them," Hilbert said. "They all are doing things to get ready to graduate. Internships or practicums, that kind of stuff, and they have to integrate their workouts in that. The senior class needs to be together on it, and lead everybody else down the right path.
"I try not to worry about it, because I think it's a really good group. But by nature, I'm always wondering what's going on."
He didn't see a lack of focus during spring workouts, but what they're doing in the summer is out of his line of vision, giving his mind time to wander. And he is right, they all are busy. There are questions of the real world which await them, especially for those on the roster who will graduate in December.
Oleksak said it's all true, but so is something else – a feeling of unfinished business.
"We still have some things we want to get done. Definitely go to the Sweet 16, win the Mountain West again and just have a good time," she said. "We grew up with this class, so it's ending on a high note. It is hard this summer to get everyone in the gym, because we are all looking toward our future, but we're all still focusing on volleyball."
With all the experience on the roster, the key motivation to improve could come from the underclassmen. Ellie Gubser and Jacqi Van Liefde played last year, but aren't starters. They see the talent in front of them, and Hilbert would really have cause for concern if they both entered workouts thinking they are no more than reserves.
"I could look at it that way. There are amazing girls on this team, and yeah, we have basically the same roster, so I am really going to have to fight if I want to play," Van Liefde said. "Ultimately, all I can control is myself. I'm just going to go out there and try as hard as I can. If I get playing time, that's awesome. If not, I'm getting better, and they're going to graduate and I'm going to need to step up my junior and senior year. Everything is preparation for what's to come.
"I want to get some playing time, and I'm going to work for it. I love my teammates. We're all pushing each other constantly. I'm hoping I can push them like they're pushing me to be as good as I can be."
With Van Liefde, there are options to consider. She played on the pins last year, but she could factor in to the middle as this season, even her career, progresses. During the spring, Hilbert shuffled them all around – vets and youngsters alike – to promote competition and versatility.
"They have to do it, and you just hope they know it," Hilbert said. "The thing about this giant group of seniors, they're so set into their position, you worry they think they're fine. You need to work. There needs to be a little bit of an edge created somehow. I'm not going to be on the one to do it. We did it in the spring and challenged them."
Van Liefde noted the specific things she needs to work on must be addressed by her, and every open gym she can attend will only aid the progress. If she wants to target a specific area, all she has to do is text Oleksak, who makes sure those items are addressed in the workout plan. It's the same for any player.
Hilbert could essentially roll a ball on the court with his starters in place, but even still, there are some questions. There are openings for defensive specialists with the departures of Amanda Young and Maddi Foutz, and the libero position is up for debate, even if Olivia Nicholson handled it well in 2018.
Enter into the fray Brooke Hudson, a true freshman who was on campus in the spring, Alyssa Bert, another true freshman and Creighton transfer Alexa Roumeliotis, who has collegiate experience.
Arriving on campus early has been a boon for Hudson, having learned a bit about campus life along with the chance to play in a lineup with her new teammates.
"I think I helped myself a lot coming in this spring, because I got to play with these girls for four weekends in a row as the main libero, basically," she said. "That helped me prepare for the season. We did get Alexa coming in, but I feel confident in our defense this year."
Oleksak understands why Hilbert thinks the way he does, and she can see the merits of his concerns. That doesn't mean she has to share them, and in turn, can set the wheels in motion to calm them.
She has a lot going on, true, and she and her classmates are all carrying impressive GPAs, proving the scholastic side is important to them. But one doesn't have to override the other.
"Volleyball is such a big part of our lives at this moment, I know that's a priority for them, even if on the side if they're looking for grad schools," she said.
The players believe they are doing what's necessary to make it all work out to the proper conclusion, as they still have unattained goals and a belief they can reach them. They can also look around and remember how good they've been, and Hilbert hopes that isn't the case.
In August, when he's back on the court, he'll get his answer.
"That's the biggest worry," he said. "Well, we're fine the way we are. It's not a cliché. If you do that, you're moving backwards, because everybody else is getting better."
Even when a roster looks like a stress-free environment – which would be the case for Colorado State volleyball coach Tom Hilbert – it's simply a mirage to them, because they can find the soft spots.
The Rams don't lose a single kill from a team which posted a 23-8 mark, won the Mountain West title for the 10th time in 11 seasons and qualified for the NCAA Tournament a 24th year in succession. Katie Oleksak is back at setter, the reigning two-time Mountain West player of the year, to guide a roster which is dominated by five seniors. Two of them, Kirstie Hillyer and Paulina Hougaard-Jensen, form the most dominating set of middles in the conference, whether you want offensive production or blocking prowess. Outside hitter Jessica Jackson found her form last year, and all junior Breana Runnels has done the past two seasons is break modern-era records for most kills by a freshman (2017) and the most in a single season (454, 2018).
See, that's the problem.
"I believe with a team as old as this one is, a lot of it is up to them," Hilbert said. "They all are doing things to get ready to graduate. Internships or practicums, that kind of stuff, and they have to integrate their workouts in that. The senior class needs to be together on it, and lead everybody else down the right path.
"I try not to worry about it, because I think it's a really good group. But by nature, I'm always wondering what's going on."
He didn't see a lack of focus during spring workouts, but what they're doing in the summer is out of his line of vision, giving his mind time to wander. And he is right, they all are busy. There are questions of the real world which await them, especially for those on the roster who will graduate in December.
Oleksak said it's all true, but so is something else – a feeling of unfinished business.
"We still have some things we want to get done. Definitely go to the Sweet 16, win the Mountain West again and just have a good time," she said. "We grew up with this class, so it's ending on a high note. It is hard this summer to get everyone in the gym, because we are all looking toward our future, but we're all still focusing on volleyball."
With all the experience on the roster, the key motivation to improve could come from the underclassmen. Ellie Gubser and Jacqi Van Liefde played last year, but aren't starters. They see the talent in front of them, and Hilbert would really have cause for concern if they both entered workouts thinking they are no more than reserves.
"I could look at it that way. There are amazing girls on this team, and yeah, we have basically the same roster, so I am really going to have to fight if I want to play," Van Liefde said. "Ultimately, all I can control is myself. I'm just going to go out there and try as hard as I can. If I get playing time, that's awesome. If not, I'm getting better, and they're going to graduate and I'm going to need to step up my junior and senior year. Everything is preparation for what's to come.
"I want to get some playing time, and I'm going to work for it. I love my teammates. We're all pushing each other constantly. I'm hoping I can push them like they're pushing me to be as good as I can be."
With Van Liefde, there are options to consider. She played on the pins last year, but she could factor in to the middle as this season, even her career, progresses. During the spring, Hilbert shuffled them all around – vets and youngsters alike – to promote competition and versatility.
"They have to do it, and you just hope they know it," Hilbert said. "The thing about this giant group of seniors, they're so set into their position, you worry they think they're fine. You need to work. There needs to be a little bit of an edge created somehow. I'm not going to be on the one to do it. We did it in the spring and challenged them."
Van Liefde noted the specific things she needs to work on must be addressed by her, and every open gym she can attend will only aid the progress. If she wants to target a specific area, all she has to do is text Oleksak, who makes sure those items are addressed in the workout plan. It's the same for any player.
Hilbert could essentially roll a ball on the court with his starters in place, but even still, there are some questions. There are openings for defensive specialists with the departures of Amanda Young and Maddi Foutz, and the libero position is up for debate, even if Olivia Nicholson handled it well in 2018.
Enter into the fray Brooke Hudson, a true freshman who was on campus in the spring, Alyssa Bert, another true freshman and Creighton transfer Alexa Roumeliotis, who has collegiate experience.
Arriving on campus early has been a boon for Hudson, having learned a bit about campus life along with the chance to play in a lineup with her new teammates.
"I think I helped myself a lot coming in this spring, because I got to play with these girls for four weekends in a row as the main libero, basically," she said. "That helped me prepare for the season. We did get Alexa coming in, but I feel confident in our defense this year."
Oleksak understands why Hilbert thinks the way he does, and she can see the merits of his concerns. That doesn't mean she has to share them, and in turn, can set the wheels in motion to calm them.
She has a lot going on, true, and she and her classmates are all carrying impressive GPAs, proving the scholastic side is important to them. But one doesn't have to override the other.
"Volleyball is such a big part of our lives at this moment, I know that's a priority for them, even if on the side if they're looking for grad schools," she said.
The players believe they are doing what's necessary to make it all work out to the proper conclusion, as they still have unattained goals and a belief they can reach them. They can also look around and remember how good they've been, and Hilbert hopes that isn't the case.
In August, when he's back on the court, he'll get his answer.
"That's the biggest worry," he said. "Well, we're fine the way we are. It's not a cliché. If you do that, you're moving backwards, because everybody else is getting better."
Players Mentioned
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MB
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OH
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OH
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OH
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OH
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