Volleyball Q & A for 2009

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings first year head volleyball coach, Steve Smith, sat down and answered some questions about the upcoming season. 

1. What will be the greatest strength of your team in 2009?

I think the leadership and experience we have at the primary ball control positions will be our greatest strength when it comes to competition. Our setting position, libero position, and both outside hitter positions are filled with seniors and juniors who have high levels of experience. I also feel that these players will provide the leadership we need in the practice gym and off the court that will be essential to the development of our younger players.

1. Which returning players will be key factors to your team’s success?

All of our returning players will be important to our success, but the most important factor is how well all the players can combine their individual talents together to play as a team. Our most valuable resource is each other and our ability to form a cohesive unit will be the determining factor of how well we play this year.

1. Which incoming players do you expect to contribute this year?

All players are expected to contribute on a daily basis, whether they end up in the starting rotation or not. We do have a smaller squad of only 11 players so there is the possibility that everyone could see significant playing time. I do know that the incoming class is filled with outstanding athletes, but we will have to see how they adjust to the collegiate game.

1. Break down the GNAC.  Who are the teams to beat and how do the Yellowjackets stack up?

It has been a few years since I’ve been in the conference so my predictions are based primarily on the history of success of some of the teams and the great respect I have for their coaches. At the top of the list would be Western Washington, Central Washington and Western Oregon, followed closely by Northwest Nazarene and Alaska-Fairbanks. Seattle Pacific was down last year but historically they are a very good program that could make a run in any given year. I think the same could be said for Alaska-Anchorage. I expect that we will be very competitive in conference play this year, but to pick where we will be in the conference standings is hard to say. It is very important that we protect our home court and come up with key wins on the road.

1. What are your expectations as a new coach for the team this year?

I imagine that my expectations are similar to those of most other coaches, that the team will work hard and hold themselves to high standards in their work ethic and their behavior in the gym, on campus and in the community. I have a firm belief that it’s what you do on a day to day basis that determines your success in competition and in life. If we take care of the details, and work hard on a daily basis, wins will take care of themselves.