By Ana Zeikidze, Staff Writer
Newman volleyball coach Marisa Compton is focused on building a winning culture this season, both on and off the court, she says.
"We want to keep developing our program,” she said, adding that the team hopes to make the conference tournament.
Senior Ozioma Ajekwu, a 6'3" middle hitter from Lawrence, has been an all-conference player for the past two seasons. At a recent tournament, she recorded a .450 hitting percentage, making her difficult for teams to stop, Compton said. The team also added nine new players this season, including seven freshmen and two transfers.
Last fall, the volleyball team finished its season with a 0-28 record. It was swept in 23 of its matches and won only seven of 94 sets.
Compton said that figuring out the starting lineup and maintaining strong team chemistry is a priority this season. Last year was tough, she said, and the team feels the pressure not to repeat those struggles. But Compton emphasized that the team is focused on moving forward. In the MIAA preseason coaches poll, released in August, Newman was ranked 12th of 12 teams.
"It’s about not letting the burden of last season weigh us down," she said.
The competition in the MIAA conference is fierce, Compton said, and she knows the team will have to rise to the challenge.
“The level of play in our conference is really high. It’s competitive every single match, but it’s also fun to compete at such a high level,” she said.
To meet these challenges, the team relies on its leadership council, a group of players chosen by their teammates to represent the team's voice.“They all have different leadership styles and strengths, which is going to help us meet the needs of the team throughout the season,” Compton said.
Compton also spoke about the dynamics of the team this season, noting how the mix of a large senior class and a strong group of freshmen has shaped the team's chemistry.
"The new players have brought energy, and the seniors have embraced them, helping lead the way for the new players to make an impact," she said.
As the season unfolds, Coach Compton hopes to see not only team growth but also individual growth.“We had our first tournament this weekend, and I saw a lot of growth from certain players,” she said. “I want our leaders to get more comfortable and vocal as the season goes on. My hope is that they take what they learn from sports and use it to be better people,” she said.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Unsplash
