Early Goings Promising for EC Volleyball
EUREKA – First-year Eureka volleyball coach Candace Van Bogaert knew that she had her work cut out for her from Day 1.
She was taking over a program that had struggled in recent years and was coming off a rocky, 4-20 that included a coaching change midway through the fall.
There were seven returners, but not all of them had a lot of playing time or experience, and that meant her new squad was going to prominently feature a slew of new faces and personalities. Under these circumstances, it was going to be a challenge to find the right mix and forge a positive team dynamic.
However, by the end of preseason, it was clear that the Red Devils were on the right track.
"We proceeded to move forward and found a good lineup that would work well together and complement each other on the court with all of the returners and transfers that were coming in from Lincoln College, as well as the freshmen coming in," said Van Bogaert, who previously coached men's and women's volleyball at Lincoln College. "And I feel like they have all adapted well together to put forth their best effort on the court."
The returners, she said, needed a fresh set of coaching eyes and it was her job to let them know that things were going to be different this year. Every player on the maroon and gold's roster of 22 needed to know that they were going to be competitive this year, and that they all had a role to play.
Van Bogaert saw a lot to like in her team from the get-go.
"I love the girls," she said. "They're very hard-working, and they know the tasks that I have set forth for them for the year. You can only go up from years past, and they know to get to that point, they have to work hard in practice and they have to put forth the effort, and that's what they have been doing."
Over the weekend, the Red Devils put their preseason work to the test in a four-match tournament at St. Mary-of-the-Woods. Eureka came away from the opening weekend 2-2, earning a five-set victory over Maine-Fort Kent in the first match of Day 1 and a five-set victory over Grace Christian in the first match of Day 2. The team lost to Peru State in four sets and fell to the host school in three.
"I feel like we could've been 3-1 coming out of the gate, but I am happy with 2-2, the girls are very happy with 2-2," Van Bogaert said. "We know what we need to work on, and that's what we're focusing on with a match this week and two matches this weekend."
At the tournament, the Red Devils' first-year coach observed the cohesive, supportive team dynamic on and off the floor in Indiana that she was looking for, which she believes bodes well for the rest of the season.
Returning sophomore outside hitter Brooklyn Shell had a strong weekend and was named to the All-Tournament team. She is joined on the outside by fellow sophomore returner Alexis Charlton. Charlton, who was limited by injuries for the majority of last season, also had a good start to the season.
At setter, the Red Devils saw junior Lincoln transfer Hope McGinnes play with urgency and experience, while freshman and Eureka High School product Sara Hart had a promising start to her collegiate career as the other setter in the team's 6-2 rotation.
The Red Devils' middle blockers are both 5-foot-10 freshmen. Former Princeton Tiger Madison Richards and former Roanoke-Benson Frannie Heckman both held their own and showed potential in their first start.
Returning junior Regan Reed played well on the right side and in the back row.
The Red Devils' defensive specialist/libero positions are up for grabs right now, and the weekend saw several players fill the role.
On Thursday, the Red Devils will play a traditional non-conference match against Rockford at 7 p.m.
The Regents are off to a 1-4 start. They opened the season last Friday with a 1-1 showing at the Beloit Tournament, falling to Martin Luther in three and beating Finlandia University in four. The following day, they went 0-2 at the Wisconsin-Whitewater Tournament, losing in straight sets against Blackburn and Loras. Then, on Tuesday, Monmouth swept them, too.
The keys for the Red Devils, Van Bogaert says, will be playing smart, error-free volleyball, having great communication and improving their serve-receive and passing.
"I'm just excited to see their growth," she said of the rest of the season ahead. "Just to see the team aspect that these returners have been yearning for. They want the camaraderie. They want the team dynamic, and with 22 girls, they're excited to see what we can do this year."