Volleyball Team Learning and Growing in First Week with New Coach

William Penn Women’s Athletics

The Statesmen volleyball team has gotten back to work this fall, preparing for their 2013 campaign under first year head coach Jennifer Carlson.

The leader of the navy and gold is beginning her head coaching career after two stints as an assistant.

“I am excited to have my own program,” Carlson said. “I feel like I have a good mix of philosophy from both of my previous jobs.”

The Statesmen players have also been excited about the change.

“All of the girls are excited about the change,” Carlson said. “They have all been very accepting and are making necessary changes to make it work.”

As for the action on the court, the Statesmen netters have been hard at work under Carlson’s tutelage.

“Most of the girls came back in great shape,” Carlson described. “We have been practicing at a fast pace and working on a lot of technique. The girls know they do not have a lot of time to make all of the changes so they are focusing on making little changes on the fly.”

Carlson is also thankful for the group of returners she inherited this fall, as all of them have shown great leadership qualities.

“Some of them communicate vocally, and some of them lead by example,” Carlson explained. “It has been great having a group of returners providing such great leadership with this big change.”

The Statesmen have been on the court since last Sunday. They will continue their training camp, gearing up for their season opening matches at the Mount Mercy Invitational on August 23-24.