Team captain Alyssa Deno and her teammates could not be more excited to show how they have come together this preseason under their new coach, Kent Miller.
Coming off a 19-14 campaign last season, the Miller era is off and running for Saint Louis University volleyball.
Many questions have yet to be answered going into this weekend’s Hawkeye Challenge in Iowa City, Iowa, but both captain and coach have expressed optimism and anxiousness in finding answers.
“This is an important weekend for us,” Miller said.
“I’m just excited to get them going and get a chance to see what we’ll be like in a game situation”
The Billikens have been working hard to adjust to the systematic and positional changes instituted by the new coach, as well as welcoming new faces to the team– including two freshmen, three transfers and two redshirts.
Going into the weekend, Miller said he has a few goals for the team.
“We want to be an aggressive team, play hard on defense, and have a high work ethic,” he said.
Miller said he wants to focus on more than results, but that Competition this weekend will include the University of Iowa, Central Michigan University, and a solid Marquette University team that finished third in the Big East last year.
Miller certainly brings a pedigree of winning with him.
He played a key role as a part of the coaching staff that led the University of Illinois to a 50-15 record in his two seasons with the Illini. He also built the University of Toledo into a perennial contender in the Mid-American Conference over his 12-year tenure.
With his winning background come expectations, and the eagerness the team and coaches have about the season reflects this.
“It was frustrating waiting that long for a coach, but we know now that the wait was worth it,” Deno said.
While many questions remain unanswered, there is no doubt that the team returns talent from last season’s team, which finished third in the Atlantic 10.
At the top of the list is Deno, but Miller says she has shown her value more than just on the court over the difficult transition period.
“[Deno] was one of the ones from the start who really led that group into being excited about new opportunities,” said Miller.
“Especially with the seniors and Deno, they’ve done a great job focusing on what’s next for us and not looking back too much.”
There is a certain air of confidence around this year’s team too, as they approach a schedule with four preseason AVCA top 25 teams. “I think it’s a pretty tough schedule…if and when we get to the NCAA tournament, we won’t be surprised one bit,” Deno said.
While waiting for answers from the Hawkeye Challenge, there are a few certainties about this team. Deno commands leadership and respect on and off the court, and the team is optimistic about Miller’s ability to bring this squad to the next level.
