Volleyball Ready for Year
August 16, 2008
WEATHERFORD, Okla. – Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s volleyball has made steady progress since its beginning in 2005, collecting a higher number of wins each season and inching ever closer to a postseason appearance. Now, after an electrifying finish last season, the Bulldogs are ready to take it to another level.
SWOSU has the opportunity to better themselves in 2008 but before that begins a lot of work has to be done, according to coach Bo Pagliasotti.
The fourth-year coach has had to fill a roster that was hit hard with the graduation of six seniors, most of which had been with the program since the outset. However, the coach has been thankful for the emergence of the new seniors who have stepped into the leadership role.
“Our seniors have created a good work environment for the new ones,” Pagliasotti said. “I think they have come to the realization that this is their last go around so they are helping, giving advice, encouraging every step of the way. They understand that to compete in this conference they have to all be on the same page from the beginning.”
SWOSU finished last year at 14-19 and ended up tied for eighth place in the Lone Star Conference with a 5-7 league mark. The Bulldogs just missed on qualifying for the league tournament by losing out on a complicated tie-breaker system.
Pagliasotti knows he has little time to blend his squad into a cohesive unit with the season less than two weeks away. He believes the first week of practice to have been a success considering how many new players are on his roster.
“I have been pushing them hard due to 'so many things, so little time' and the fact we have more new faces than we have returners,” Pagliasotti said. “They all came into camp in great shape, so we have been able to spend more time on playing together on the court than the traditional conditioning.”
Pagliasotti said he will spend the remaining few pre-season practices working out timing issues with the hitters and setters.
“I expected it to take some time because each player comes form different programs where they are used to doing things one style. In most cases it is likely different from what we use here,” Pagliasotti said. “We have seen some good strides already with the hitters and setters connecting so I know it’s coming together.”
SWOSU opens the season Friday, Aug. 29 at the Missouri S&T Tournament in Rolla, Mo. The Bulldogs play Missouri Western, Pittsburg State, St. Cloud State and Southern Indiana in a two-day span.
SWOSU’s first home game is on Tuesday, Sept. 2 against Southern Arkansas. Start is at 7 p.m. in Rankin Williams Fieldhouse