Walkthrough: Working out the Nervous Energy

Calendar

Show:/

Sep 18

6:00 PM

Volleyball

vs RV Colorado

Sep 19

7:00 PM

Volleyball

at RV Colorado

Sep 25

6:30 PM

Volleyball

at Wyoming

Sep 27

12:00 PM

Volleyball

vs Nevada

Oct 2

6:30 PM

Volleyball

at New Mexico

TEMPE, Ariz. – Before practice began on Thursday, Emily Kohan asked their team what each of them were going to bring to the table in order for it to be an energetic session on the eve of the NCAA Tournament.

With energy, her Colorado State volleyball team is at its best, and it was even more necessary on this particular occasion as they experienced Desert Financial Arena for the first time.

"I think there was definitely some energy and nerves at the beginning. I think we're working out some of those nerves to be productive," Kohan said. "They got in there, were energetic and want to compete. I want them to play free. I want them to be aggressive and play free, be the ones who are attacking either from the serve or hitting.

"You have nothing to lose. Get some of the tense energy out and just be able to play with the free energy."

Colorado State will face Texas A&M at 4:30 p.m., the first of two matches on the day. Host Arizona State will face New Hampshire after, with the two winners playing Saturday at 6 p.m., for the chance to advance to the Sweet 16.

As a group, they needed to stretch out their legs. Wednesday's travel day hit a hitch with the team's original flight being cancelled, landing in Phoenix about three hours later than expected, altering dinner and everything else.

With practice at 1:30 p.m., the team had a mandatory study table in the morning, then was given a chance to explore the area around the hotel and go grab lunch.

Practice was just what they needed, and the approach was spot on.

"I think we're going in and trying to play free. And for us to play free, we have to have a lot of energy," setter Emery Herman said. "It's fun to be in a new gym, it's fun to be on Teraflex. We've been waiting for this moment all season. It's everyone's first time to be in the tournament, so it's a new and exciting environment."

When Kohan asked the players what they were bringing, there were the expected answers of encouraging and the like. Malaya Jones opened up with the fact she was going to "talk trash."

The session opened up with a loud "whoop" from Naeemah Weathers, and away they went. And with a few choice words, Jones kept hers

"She did a decent amount. She was there," Herman said. "I think it definitely fires everyone up. It was a good practice for us heading into tomorrow, and we'll have another again tomorrow. Good vibes all around."

Depth Perception

Serving comes with a feel, and along with the physical aspect is the visual. How big or small an arena is, the slant of the seats, the lighting. At both ends of Desert Financial Arena there is a tunnel, but one side is taller and deeper than the other.

For a team which prides itself on serving tough, the Rams took extra note to get comfortable.

Freshman Maria Brun, who led a seven-point streak to clinch the Mountain West title, complete with a pair of aces, the second producing match point, took her time to get accustomed to the space.

"Actually yes. At every new court, the first few serves I always focus on how the court is like, so I know this is this," Brun said. "It's different, but it's pretty much the same. I just wanted to get comfortable."

Same with Herman, who said the base is to stick with what one knows already, rely on the form and adjust it all to the setting.

Come match time, she'll be ready to let it fly.

"You just remember the things that go farther and go shorter," Herman said. "The first few practice serves, for sure, you pay attention a little more in a new gym."

Here and There

Colorado State has dropped it's past three NCAA Tournament matches, including a second-round loss to No. 4 Stanford in 2017. They opened that draw with a win over Michigan. … Overall, the Rams are 25-31 in tournament play, 19-12 in the first round. … The 2014 season marks the last time the team advanced to the Sweet 16, beating Denver and No. 19 Colorado in a pod held at Moby Arena involving four state schools. … Friday will be the first meeting with Texas A&M in the tournament, but the Rams are 6-3 against the Aggies all time.

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results