Freshmen head into the offseason prepared for Coach Carlson’s strength and conditioning program
Sarah Carlson and James Cooks
Staff Writers
Despite an entirely new team this year, with a team built entirely on freshman, the Pierce College Volleyball program was represented well with a “good” season, according to Coach Doug Carlson.
So how has this fresh group of young ladies impacted the Pierce College Volleyball Program? Coach Carlson said, “This year’s team has been great to work with. They have each grown a lot this year and I look forward to next season when they have the experience and confidence on top of their skill”.
When asked how he thought his team performed this past season, he answered, “Overall, this past season was a good one. We won about 50 percent of our games, and were 6-6 in the league games.”
He added, “However, we have a lot of room for improvement, and my goal is for each of the players to develop their skill and push themselves before next season.” His proudest moment this season, “Our comeback at Green River CC. We were down 2-1, 20-24, but we came back in the 4th game and won 26-24. We also won the 5th game. It was one of the greatest comebacks I have experienced as a coach, and definitely my proudest moment of this season.”
Coach Carlson points out the Raiders three biggest competitors this year. “TCC, Clark and Lower Columbia. TCC has our number.”
He added, “We were close in both matches but, you know, a point here or a point there will change the whole tenor of game. So it was close, but TCC got us this year. We had two really close games against Lower Columbia and Clark, but in the end, those three teams swept us.”
Over the course of the season, players improve and regress as well. As the season progresses, the leaders of the lockerroom also start show.
This year Carlson identified three players for that category, “Hannah Steidle, Dori Smith and Jennie Demick were probably the most improved this year.”
As far as leadership skills, “I’d have to say all three of my captains (Richelle Carel, Natima Doss and English Bryant) showed great leadership skills. The three of them will definitely all come back next year as captains.”
Two of the three team Captains, English Bryant, Richelle Carel both had similar statements concerning how they feel this past season went.
Bryant claimed, “I enjoyed this season and getting to know each of my teammates and growing with them has been a blast!”
Carel stated,“It was a good year, but next year is going to be even better!”
Every team must continue to improve season to season to improve their play, and ultimately their result. Coach Doug wants that for this team.
This is what he had to say regarding their offseason training plan, “Mainly just overall strength, quickness and jumping ability will need to be improved going into the offseason. The skill is there, it’s just a matter of improving with experience, so I am really excited to see how they each grow as players and as a team coming into the next season!”
Thank you for a great season Lady Raiders! See you on the court next fall.
NWACC West League Table
W-L PCT W-L
Z -Highline 9-3 .750 15-22
X-Tacoma 8-4 .667 26-13
X-Clark 8-4 .667 14-18
X-Low. Col. 7-5 .583 18-23
Pierce 5-7 .417 12-23
G. River 4-8 .333 10-20
Centralia 1-11 .083 3-25