VB Brings High Expectations into Spring Schedule
2/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
WACO, Texas -- After narrowly missing out on an NCAA berth in 2015, head coach Ryan McGuyre, preparing for his second season at the helm of the Baylor volleyball program, enters the 2016 spring season with a team that has a year of experience in his up-tempo, high-flying offense.
This fall, the expectation is to take BU back to NCAA postseason play, a goal that begins with an intense spring training and scrimmage schedule.
"2016 brings a new year with even bigger expectations," said McGuyre. "We return a solid core of athletes ready to rise to the next level of competition."
Although the Bears lose All-Big 12 outside hitter Andie Malloy and setter Amy Rosenbaum from the starting rotation, BU returns a roster loaded with athletes poised for breakout performances.
All-Big 12 and Freshman All-Big 12 selection Shelly Fanning will be back, alongside fellow outside hitter Katie Staiger.
With Tola Itiola entering her senior season in the middle, the door is opened for Fanning, Jordan Vail, and Amanda Lesikar, returning from a knee injury, to make a big jump from their freshman year into their sophomore season.
"I love coaching them every year," McGuyre said. "But to me, the sophomore year is always the most exciting year I have for the athletes, because the light bulb is normally turned on and they have those wow moments where they're like, `Oh man, I'm not a freshman. I'm playing at a high level and doing things I never thought I could.'
"They've had a full season under their belt, they understand the grind, and they really know what to expect. The freshman year, they don't know what to expect. Their eyes are wide open, they go hard, and they make mistakes doing things they don't know they didn't know. And now, they're much more prepared."
Intense training sessions and a spring scrimmage/tournament schedule pitting the Bears against some of the nation's top talents will look to continue to sharpen iron with iron.
"We have committed to early morning workouts and training," McGuyre said. "I'm confident the discipline and dedication I've already seen from these ladies will produce mature fruit and impact the new Bears that will arrive this summer."
Playing in two tournaments, the 6th Annual FAST Complex Collegiate Invitational in Houston, and the Mizuno Lone Star Classic in Dallas, the Baylor squad will face some of the top talents in the southern region of the U.S.
2016 Baylor Volleyball Spring Schedule
| April 2 | at SMU | Dallas, Texas |
| April 9 | at Houston Fast Complex | Houston, Texas |
| April 12 | at Texas State | San Marcos, Texas |
| April 23 | at Lonestar Dallas | Dallas, Texas |
