MOSCOW, Idaho – As the 2020 season approaches, the Idaho Vandals' Volleyball team features two seniors, Donnee Janzen and Avery Housley. The duo will look to lead the Vandals this season after appearing in a combined 63 matches during their careers. The seniors played in a combined 185 sets last season and will step into leadership positions in 2020.  

Janzen, a setter from Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, led the Vandals with 784 assists last season in 26 matches played, and averaged a team-high 9.22 assists per set.

Housley, an outside hitter from Eugene, Oregon, registered 254 kills last season in 28 matches, a team second-best.

Both seniors will graduate in the spring of 2021 with undergraduate degrees from the University of Idaho.

Janzen, an Exercise Science and Health major, with minors in French and Pre-Health studies, plans to attend nursing school after graduating.

"My main goal is to get educated and be able to make an impact with it," said Janzen. "I don't necessarily know what that looks like or where I will be down the road, but my ideal situation would be to get my degree, get my certifications, and be able to help people and make a difference in the health care system."

While living through the COVID-19 Pandemic, Janzen says her passion to achieve her goals has been realized much more.

"This is one of those times where you notice how much impact health care workers have on society and our communities," said Janzen. "I want to be a part of that, and I want to be able to make a difference in my community and support other people. I see a need and I really want to fulfil it."

Housley, an Advertising major, has plans to become a real estate agent in Texas after graduating.

"I am actually getting my real estate license in Texas," said Housley. "I have some friends in Austin so I will move down there after I graduate."

Long term, Housley wants to be successful in her field and help others find their dream homes through her career.

"I want to be successful and living life to the fullest," said Housley. "I've always loved going through houses; I really want be able to make other people happy and find their dream home."
Before life after college begins for the seniors, one last ride in Moscow awaits.

"I am excited to enjoy my senior year," said Housley. "We want to get to the tournament and win the tournament. That's the main goal."

"I don't know what the outcomes are going to be, I mean we obviously expect to win," said Janzen. "I want to go in and work hard, have a fun time with my teammates, compete, and I want to win!"

Preparing for the upcoming season looks different this year compared to years past, but Janzen and Housley are focused on staying mentally and physically prepared.

"I've stayed mentally prepared by my drive to come back and play volleyball," said Housley. "I've been playing a little sand volleyball and exercising by running hills and stairs outside."

"I've been watching a lot of film to stay mentally focused," said Janzen. "I think it's important to stay sharp and to stay focused, and I think that film is a great way to do that."

Being away from their teammates has been hard for Janzen and Housley so far this summer, but the pair is looking forward to the future and accomplishing goals on the court.

 "I am trying to stay focused and look towards the end goal," said Janzen. "It can be hard some days, but the biggest thing is pushing through, working hard, and getting after it. Come fall we have to be ready to go and ready to compete."

"We want to win the tournament. As a team that's what I want for us," said Housley. "Despite all that's going on we want to be successful on the court after we get through this. All of us are away from each other right now, but we can't wait to get back on the court together."

Season ticket renewals being June 15^th and season tickets will go on sale June 22^nd at 9 a.m. Single game tickets will go on sale July 13^th at 9 a.m. Visit govandals.com/tickets for more ticket information.