2018 has been a year of injury, growth and development for Southwestern College volleyball.
After last yeasr’s grueling 4-20 record and losing players to graduation, head coach Jennifer Saleaemua has floored an entirely new unit. Saleaemua said with so much youth coming from different programs, building chemistry and developing their talents has been the biggest challenge for this team.
“They are all brand new and straight out of high school so they have a lot of weaknesses,” she said. “My goal is to get them as much repetition, and for them to bond as one, play together and know who they are.”
With hopes of a conference title all but gone after a 0-18 start, the focus is now on growth. Saleaemua said the team is finally beginning to come together after a rash of injuries and misfortune.
“There was a big disconnect because a lot of girls were hurt or missed time due to sickness,” she said. “Our whole team has not been together until now, minus one person. Now heading into the second round of conference play, we want to grow and develop in the team aspect and grow into the offense.”
Though this season may statistically be rough, there is plenty of optimism about the direction of the team. Saleaemua said the newly erected Wellness and Exercise Science building poses as a big recruiting tool for the program.
“When they look on the outside, they want to see what is inside,” she said. “The facilities on all floors and the locker room especially could be really big tools for us.”
