A blank slate to a new year of possibilities, more potential following past success

Isabella Brown, Campus Carrier sports editor

The Berry College women’s volleyball team is staring their season in light of a previous victory. They won conference at the Southern Athletic Association Tournament (SAA) and had a first-round win in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament (NCAA). This marks this as their tenth overall wins in the SAA and their fourth time in a row winning as well. The coaches and team are excited for this coming season and what it holds for them.

“One of the things we learned last year is to not expect anything,” Head Coach Caitlyn Moriarty said. “We are not entitled to anything.”

Head Coach Caitlyn Moriarty is going to treat this year as she does every other. This is a different team, different dynamic, and with that comes different strengths and weaknesses. Coach Moriarty is going to approach this as a blank slate.  

With the added two new teams in this year’s conference, Trinity University and Southwestern University, will be more heat in the competition. This puts four teams that made it to the NCAA tournament last year competing with one another. Traveling and competing will look very different this year. With more and more teams not wanting to travel to Berry, teams have to go to extra lengths for games, especially for games in the north. These are some of the difficulties that the volleyball team is going to face.

“We’ll have to just embrace that for what it is and recognize again, we’re not entitled to anything.” Head Coach Moriarty

Moriarty tries to tailor her coaching to the needs of each player. To focus on not only strengths but weaknesses as well. There are high commitment and demanding standards to volleyball. Growth is Moriarty’s  first priority when it comes to developing her
 team members.

“Every challenge is an opportunity to grow. I think when you have a team of women and coaches that are really committed to growth and are striving to be the best versions of themselves.” Head Coach Moriarty

Returning players and newcomers have faced their challenges as Moriarty liked to put it for their summer training. This has helped prepare players not only physically but mentally. With travel for games becoming more demanding the tole will be weighing heavily. This training season helps the newcomers learn to keep up with the veteran players and will help elevate the team’s performance. These are not just athletes, but students as well. Moriarty wants her girls to be the best version of themselves.

“I think what is most important to me is having them committed to growth and strive. Just reacging our full potential, whatever that looks like.” Head Coach Moriarty.

Returning players and newcomers have faced challenges during summer training. This has helped prepare players not only physically but mentally for the season.

With travel for games becoming more demanding, the team will have to bear the burden. This training season helps the newcomers learn to keep up with the veteran players and will help elevate the team’s performance. These are not just athletes, but students as well. Moriarty wants her players to be the best version of themselves.

“I think when you have a team of women and coaches that are committed to be the best versions of themselves. Just reaching our full potential is what we really want,” Moriarty said.