Author: Trace Wallace
The Occidental Woman’s Volleyball team has undergone major change. Seven freshmen have been added to the roster, the team is competing in a flashy new gymnasium, and a new coach, Mike Talamantes, has revitalized the Lady Tigers’ spirits and competitive attitude. The coach comes from the high school level where he spent twelve years recording over 400 victories and earning 15 league championships. His impressive credentials, experience, and dedication may be just the key to unlocking the Ladies’ aggressive winning attitude.
“The coach pushes us really hard and the practices are a lot more intense this year,” defensive blocker Kate Meyer (sophomore) said.
The new practice regime coupled with the Ladies’ high energy will perpetuate the kind of reputation any successful athletic team desires. The Lady Tigers are assured that it will take some time to rebuild their team cohesiveness under a banner of success. They are also confident in this process and are passionate about investing their time and energy into making sure everyone buys into this new system and that no girl is left behind.
“We all have to put our trust in him for us to have the kind of success we all want,” Meyer said.
The team’s goals for the 2008 season are not commonly measured by a statistic per say, but are vital to the future of the program. The Lady Tigers look to improve their team cohesiveness as well as develop a more aggressive style of play.
“We all like and respect each other, we just need to connect,” middle blocker Ashley Rosenbaum (junior) said. The team chemistry Rosenbaum speaks of will only be accomplished by playing together more, which will further help the girls learn how to positively build on each other’s unique playing styles.
There is no substitute to team interaction in the moment of competition. This environment is a great indicator of a team’s character, and although the Lady Tigers have had a rough beginning, quitting is not an option for these girls. The transformation has only begun and the Tigers are building off of their strengths and improving their weak spots every day.
Commenting on their game against the Cal-Lu Regals on Saturday, Sept. 27, Meyer said, “We need to be more aggressive and need to focus our energy on just playing the game and not so much getting caught up in the numbers on the scoreboard.”
Rosenbaum added, “The team has a tendency to worry about the mistakes we make during a game. Instead, we need to have a short memory and concentrate on the next play.”
With a team like this one, one that has had five different coaches in the last five years and whose roster is nearly half composed of first-years, it needs time to develop into a single unitary actor that plays for each other. This will inevitably lead to positive change and will propel the Lady Tigers into becoming the team they most desire.
The Women’s Volleyball team will play nationally ranked La Verne University on Tuesday, Sept. 30.
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