By Rylee Freeman, Staff Writer
The OBU volleyball team is well underway with a hopeful season ahead of them. After tremendous effort, consistency and dedication during preseason, the team is determined to accomplish their goals for conference. The team is 5-4 overall and 1-0 in conference after defeating SAU in the conference-opener.
With nine returners and nine newcomers, including eight freshmen, the team had a shaky start, but has been working hard to find what works for them. “We went 1-3 at the McKendree invitational and started our record lower than our capabilities,” senior Mack Bidwell said. “We’re a young team but also a very talented one with a deep bench.”
As the season has progressed, the Tigers have continued to improve and work more efficiently as a team. Head coach Allison Frizzell shared her excitement for the season and strategies for improvement that the team has put in. “Right now we’re just working on getting better each day and each game, and figuring out each other’s strengths and weaknesses and how to complement those,” Frizzell said. The team’s focus on daily advancement comes down to perfecting the small details that ultimately make a difference on gameday.
Frizzell gave insight to some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into preparing for each match. The team has competed in challenging tournaments designed to push them outside their comfort zone and prepare them for tough conference competition. Daily commitments include three to four hours of practice, film and related activities such as nutrition and sleep. All of these efforts require a level of discipline and accountability that often go unseen.
As for conference play, Oklahoma Baptist and Harding are ranked ahead of OBU, making those matchups especially important for the Tigers. “I think it’s really easy to get caught up in the stats and how other teams are doing, but we’re really just focusing on ourselves and our season and our schedule,” senior Kylie Kisgen said. Kisgen said that the team is expecting every opponent to deliver its best effort and are preparing by taking the season one game at a time, turning weaknesses into strengths.
Big goals are ahead for this team, who enter conference play with excitement, confidence and the eagerness to win. “I hope the team accomplishes having a winning season, making it to the conference tournament and going all the way to the conference championship,” Bidwell said. The team shares a special bond, strengthened by genuine friendships formed both on and off the court. “All of the girls love each other seriously so much, and so the culture and the dynamic has been amazing,” Kisgen said.
Frizzell shared that the players trust, support and celebrate one another while also holding each other accountable. During preseason, the team spent significant time bonding, which helped the players connect quickly and form strong relationships. “A fun memory was in between moments of team bonding during preseason. We all got close fast and nothing felt forced. We did fun activities like Zumba and going to the river,” Bidwell said. “I’m excited to make more memories with my team.”
Frizzell values how close the team has become and enjoys watching those relationships play out on the court. “I tell them all the time; you’re only going to have the same team once, so what you want to make out of this team is on them,” Frizzell said.
OBU volleyball has an exciting season ahead, fueled by ambitious conference goals and the dedication to achieve them.
