MOSCOW, Idaho—The Idaho volleyball team concluded its first week of practice on Saturday and will continue to fine tune things over the next two weeks, leading up to the Aug. 25 opener at Oregon State.
"I am getting really excited for this group of girls that we have," senior
Torrin Crawford commented. "We have a lot of new girls coming in but they are already learning and picking things up quickly. We are trying to implement our ways and get them caught up to speed. At the same time, we have a lot of returners who are continuing what we were doing in the spring."
Crawford helps headline a group of nine letterwinners returning from 2016. The senior middle led the Vandals with a .312 hitting percentage last season. Junior
DeVonne Ryter will be a key presence at the net for Idaho. She led the team last season with 114 total blocks.
The 2017 roster features a good mix of veterans and newcomers. The team has eight fresh-faces that are working into the rotation. Of the eight only three are true freshman.
Donnée Janzen,
Nicole Ball and
Rachel Mills are the only players making the jump to the collegiate game.
Avery Housley and
Maura Donovan enter their second season in the Vandals' system, redshirting in 2016.
Reece Carman joined Idaho midseason last year and practiced with the team in the spring. Transfers
Kristin Williams and
Alycia Wodke add more veteran depth.
"We lost a few girls from last season," Crawford added. "But we gained a few more. Our returners are ready to play. We know what our motto is and we are getting the newcomers on board. I am really excited for this group of girls."
"I think we have a lot more experienced veterans on the court," junior
Haylee Mathis explained. "I think that is going to make a huge difference in terms of ball control and making smart decisions. It is great."
Idaho enters the season labeled as underdogs by the Big Sky coaches. The Vandals were picked seventh in the preseason coaches' poll released on Friday. The team is unfazed by the poll, continuing to keep the focus on bettering themselves as the season approaches.
"We are clearly better than that," Mathis continued. "I think our mentality is stronger. We are more determined to prove how good we actually are."
Idaho travels to the Oregon State Tournament to open the season. They will take on the host Beavers as well as Kansas State and Pacific.
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho volleyball by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @IdahoVolleyball.
For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com. Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.
