Fresno State Athletics
Two seniors looking to lead Bulldog Volleyball in final collegiate season
8/15/2017 1:37:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State's two seniors – libero Jacqueline Hutcheson and middle blocker Lauren Torres – enter their last season as the lone upperclassman on the Bulldog volleyball roster. With nine juniors, one sophomore, and three freshmen behind them, Hutcheson and Torres will be relied upon heavily in their senior season.
Both four-year Bulldogs, the two seniors helped take the program from eight wins in their freshman season to 15 victories last year. The pair addressed their goals, expectations, and excitement for the upcoming season.
Q: What is your mindset entering the season?
Jacqueline Hutcheson: As a team our mindset is to focus on getting better every day and working hard in practice so games are easy.
Lauren Torres: My mindset entering the season is more on a serious note and ready to get down to business. The main objective is to learn and grow with this great group of girls and win our conference.
Q: As a senior how can you lead your teammates? Does being one of only two seniors put more pressure on you as a leader?
JH: As a senior I think the best way to lead is by example. Being one of the only two seniors does not necessarily put more pressure on us but it does mean we have to be consistent and good examples for the newcomers.
LT: As a senior, my job in leading my teammates is to be a role model and show them the "Bulldog way". There is a little bit more pressure on me as a leader but I've learned to embrace pressure and accept it so I can be better for my teammates.
Q: What are your personal goals and what are the team goals this season?
JH: My personal goals are to be better every day and work for my teammates. As a team we are striving to win a championship.
LT: My personal goal is to end with this program on a great note. I want to give all I have left to this program before I walk off the court as a Bulldog. Our team goal this season is to win our conference.
Q: What are the strengths of this team?
JH: A huge strength of this team is that we have 10 returners and our junior class is large giving us experience on the court.
LT: Our strengths are that we are extremely competitive and work well together. Our defense has really improved and they are pretty solid back there. As for the offense, we continue to put balls away.
Q: What do you want to see from your teammates in practice leading up to the season?
JH: I want to see my teammates improve as volleyball players and as young adults, handling hard, long days with determination and motivation to get better.
LT: I want to see continued hard work and passion. Every single one of these girls loves the game and you can see it. I want to continue to see us working hard and improving and inching closer to our overall goal.
Q: How excited are you for your final collegiate season?
JH: I'm excited to share new adventures with a great group of girls. I'm also sad to see it coming to an end but grateful for the experience.
LT: It's a little bit bittersweet. I'm excited to see what the next chapter in my life holds but I'm a little sad that my days as a collegiate athlete are coming to an end. I fell in love with this grind and it will surely by missed.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
Both four-year Bulldogs, the two seniors helped take the program from eight wins in their freshman season to 15 victories last year. The pair addressed their goals, expectations, and excitement for the upcoming season.
Q: What is your mindset entering the season?
Jacqueline Hutcheson: As a team our mindset is to focus on getting better every day and working hard in practice so games are easy.
Lauren Torres: My mindset entering the season is more on a serious note and ready to get down to business. The main objective is to learn and grow with this great group of girls and win our conference.
Q: As a senior how can you lead your teammates? Does being one of only two seniors put more pressure on you as a leader?
JH: As a senior I think the best way to lead is by example. Being one of the only two seniors does not necessarily put more pressure on us but it does mean we have to be consistent and good examples for the newcomers.
LT: As a senior, my job in leading my teammates is to be a role model and show them the "Bulldog way". There is a little bit more pressure on me as a leader but I've learned to embrace pressure and accept it so I can be better for my teammates.
Q: What are your personal goals and what are the team goals this season?
JH: My personal goals are to be better every day and work for my teammates. As a team we are striving to win a championship.
LT: My personal goal is to end with this program on a great note. I want to give all I have left to this program before I walk off the court as a Bulldog. Our team goal this season is to win our conference.
Q: What are the strengths of this team?
JH: A huge strength of this team is that we have 10 returners and our junior class is large giving us experience on the court.
LT: Our strengths are that we are extremely competitive and work well together. Our defense has really improved and they are pretty solid back there. As for the offense, we continue to put balls away.
Q: What do you want to see from your teammates in practice leading up to the season?
JH: I want to see my teammates improve as volleyball players and as young adults, handling hard, long days with determination and motivation to get better.
LT: I want to see continued hard work and passion. Every single one of these girls loves the game and you can see it. I want to continue to see us working hard and improving and inching closer to our overall goal.
Q: How excited are you for your final collegiate season?
JH: I'm excited to share new adventures with a great group of girls. I'm also sad to see it coming to an end but grateful for the experience.
LT: It's a little bit bittersweet. I'm excited to see what the next chapter in my life holds but I'm a little sad that my days as a collegiate athlete are coming to an end. I fell in love with this grind and it will surely by missed.
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
Players Mentioned
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