Fresno State Athletics
Q&A With Lauren Netherby-Sewell
8/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Aug. 27, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Head volleyball coach Lauren Netherby-Sewell is in her second year with the Bulldogs. In her first season, the young coach took a young team and led them to an improved record and many close matches against some of the top teams in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Bulldogs showed many signs of improvement in 2008 and that progress looks to only move forward as the 2009 recruiting class earned honorable mention by prepvolleyball.com, the first such honor in the history of the program.
Fresno State opens the season after being picked sixth by the WAC coaches in the pre-season poll by hosting the Fresno State Invitational on Aug. 28-29 at the Save Mart Center, featuring Pacific, Cal State Bakersfield and UW-Green Bay.
Tickets are available at www.gobulldogs.com, at the Save Mart Center Box Office or by calling (559) 278-DOGS. Fans that show any football ticket from the 2009 season will get into volleyball matches free this season.
A post-match autograph session will be held with the 2009 volleyball team at the conclusion of the 7 p.m. match vs. Pacific on Saturday up in the concourse of the Save Mart Center.
Gobulldogs.com: What are your expectations for the 2009 season?
Lauren Netherby-Sewell: I expect to see a lot of improvement when it comes to our production. Last year we were looking for improvements in our competitive nature, how we put out our work, the way we carried ourselves in competition and overall discipline. This year, we are transitioning into actual production so I'm looking for statistical proof that we are heading in the right direction. Everything we do in practice is goal-orientated and focused on skills and attacking percentages. We are really looking to start putting ourselves in better positions to win each match.
GB: How much improvement have you seen in the year you have been here?
LNS: I've seen so much in-tangible improvement, a lot of things that only a coach could see being with the student-athletes on a daily basis. There have been improvements in the classroom, in work ethic, in accountability, and discipline. Our physicality has improved a lot. These are all the basics that you need to start rebuilding. I've seen a lot of that. We are starting to see good results from it. We are seeing our attacking and passing efficiency going up and things that will start turning into more wins. I've seen a lot and we are on schedule I would say.
GB: Where have you seen the most improvement?
LNS: It's all equal. I can't say where I've seen the most yet. I guess if I had to pick something I would say the overall attitudes and ability to deal with challenges and how they continue to work towards goals.
GB: What will the four newcomers bring to the team this year?
LNS: With our four newcomers we have a ton of personality coming in. What has been most interesting is their ability to challenge the returning players. Their skills aren't as refined as our returners that we have had a year with to work with, but they challenge them because their learning curve is so fast. They are so eager to compete and win and have great attitudes. Everyone will see a lot of personality and young people who are pushing our upperclassmen for starting positions.
GB: What will be the biggest challenge for the team this year?
LNS: The biggest challenge is to close matches. We are going to be, more than last year, in more positions to win, but we are still dealing with a lack of confidence when it comes to closing and terminating and taking easy opportunities for points, so that's our biggest challenge this year.
GB: What would you like to tell the fans about the upcoming season and why they should support the team this year?
LNS: I would tell fans that watching a program improve and rebuild is one of the most rewarding things and it's so much fun to watch. If you really get invested in the players and all of the things that they have been going through, all of the changes they have been going through over the year, it is so fun to see their improvement and cheer them on through it.
GB: What are you most excited about in your second year with the program?
LNS: I'm excited that our system's are in place. We finally got through a lot of the basic stuff that needed to be said and done and worked through. Now, most of our players really understand our system and can be much more organized on the court. I can't wait to see them be able to rely on things and understand where they need to be when and how to complete their tasks.
"We Are Your Team" - Don't forget to purchase your Volleyball Friends and Family Flex Pack to receive 48 general admission tickets for only $89 (4 per home game). To purchase your tickets, click on the tickets icon at the top of this page, stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office or give them a call at 559-278-DOGS.
