Fresno State Athletics
Hard Core Respect
8/27/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - Hard core, two words used by senior Shauna McQuaid and sophomore Kara Verwey to describe this year's volleyball team. When asked to define the 2001 squad, in unison and without hesitation they replied, "Hard core." How does a team build around one senior, or, even more, how does one senior guide a14-member squad? The answer is simple- she is not alone. Verwey stands beside her with a solid year of experience. And as the two players stand side by side, their confident disposition is enough to know just how hard core they are. But if that's not enough, they have the statistics to back it up.
For the first time in Western Athletic Conference history, a preseason team was released naming a selection of elite members within the conference. McQuaid and Verwey were on that list. They were chosen for the honor after their performances last season. McQuaid smashed 411 kills, ranking her among the WAC leaders in 2000. She is also ranked in hitting percentage and blocks, in addition to tagging five all-time career marks at Fresno State. Not bad, but McQuaid is thirsty for more. With her career as a Bulldog about to come to a close, the middle blocker is seeking respect as a player, respect for her team, and most of all respect for the program. As an individual she is determined to obtain 500 kills. As a leader for her team she wants to see them practice what they preach, by taking their "hard core" attitude onto the floor every game. As for the program, she wants it to be recognized as one of the best in the West.
"When our team walks into an opposing school, we want to be respected," said McQuaid. "But we have to earn it. We have to get it done in practice and then put it into action."
Verwey is just as antsy to prove how good the team is this season. She returns as an outside hitter and two statistics back up her preseason accolade. Last season she posted 332 kills, 210 digs and was a conference leader in service aces. In addition, she was selected to the inaugural all-WAC Freshmen team. This season she has set some personal goals for improvement, but along with McQuaid, really isn't looking for individual recognition. Verwey wants to contribute in any way possible to help this squad succeed.
"I'm flattered with the honor of being named as a preseason all-WAC selection, but I am eager get on the court and back it up," emphasized Verwey.
After a preseason coaches poll slated Fresno State as sixth out of ten, McQuaid and Verwey felt somewhat slighted. But they feel it isn't about rankings. It's about what the team expects out of the season, not what the opposition thinks. The tandem actually invites criticism, as it only makes them want to prove all the more that they are worthy of acknowledgement.
There will be plenty of opportunities to prove themselves this season, as the conference expands by two teams, allowing for an East/West Division. The West will consist of newcomer Boise State, Fresno State, Hawai'i, Nevada and San Jose State. Louisiana Tech will join Rice, SMU, UTEP and Tulsa in the East. Each team will play each other twice, home and away within each division. Each team will play a team from the opposite division once.
Kubik Helps to Set Standard in the Valley
As the old saying goes, the future depends on the youth. The same theory applies to the sport of volleyball as well. Fourth year assistant coach Ben Kubik has a grip around the future volleyball players of the Valley. Over the last four years, Kubik has coached hundreds of aspiring collegiate athletes, and he has done so through his club named Sports City. Kids from all backgrounds, ranging from ages 14 through 18, have been educated on the sport of volleyball through the teachings of Kubik and his support staff. Athletes join the club with the sole intention of becoming better. It is not just for the fun of it and from day one, the objective is made perfectly clear.
"The kids join the club with the expectation that they are going to put in 100 percent everyday," stated Kubik. "By going through the program, kids are taught by different schools of thought. All of the coaches approach the sport a different way and that is important." Within the last two years, all of the seniors involved with the 18-under program have gone on to play collegiate volleyball. And this past year he directed the 14-under squad to six top five finishes (Southern California Qualifier, Junior Far Western's Qualifier, President's Day Classic, NCVA Regionals and Reno High Rollers-tournament champions).
"The athletes in this program know that their hard work will result in a college career. It's up to them to make the effort." The Valley should thank Kubik for producing quality players. Excitement and appreciation for the sport begins with youth, especially if Kubik is involved.
