2024 Volleyball Season Preview
Wednesday August 21, 2024 - 12:00 p.m. | Dylan DeVlieger
MCC Indoor Volleyball hits the court on Friday at home for their season opener against No. 2 Scottsdale.
The Lady T-Birds are coming off an 11-15 (7-9 ACCAC) season which saw them just miss out on the Region I postseason for the third consecutive year.
Head coach Jordan Herrington views last season as a bit of a roller coaster. The team had winning streaks as large as five straight and it looked at times that the T-Birds hit their stride, but all must come back to earth as Mesa had three separate losing streaks of three or more matches.
Herrington believes the lack of depth and needing to rely on freshmen to make early impacts factored into their bumpy 2023 campaign.
"The rollercoaster stemmed from us needing our freshman to come in and make an impact early. Getting into a rhythm was a bit harder because you ride the waves as a freshman. We threw in big opponents and got our butts handed to us," said Herrington, "with a young group that can make or break you, a lot of the returners this year are changing their mindset because they know what they have to do win."
One of those freshmen Herrington was referencing was middle blocker Brynlee Barris. Barris, who didn't believe she would warrant much playing time before the season began, filled a big gap in the T-Bird rotation and made the most of her opportunity.
Barris finished 7th in the conference in blocks per set with (.85), total blocks (70), and block assists (59). Barris was also an ACCAC Honorable Mention in her debut season as a T-Bird. Herrington is high on Barris and expects her to take an even bigger leap her sophomore year.
"Brynlee is a force on & off the court. She takes on anything and competes. She wants to set high standards and demands others follow suit, she's going to turn heads this season," said Herrington.
Barris had a phenomenal season that, unfortunately, was cut short due to injury, missing the final four games of the season. Barris's impact on the court was sorely missed as the T-Birds went 1-3 down the stretch and effectively lost their position in the postseason.
Unfairly, Barris feels the burden for her team not getting to the postseason. With the lack of depth at her position and how well she played during the season, the hole Barris left was extremely difficult to fill.
"Last year we didn't have a very deep bench, I was the middle so when I couldn't do my job to help the team it made me feel like I let everyone down," said Barris.
With the best teams in the conference having a deep bench and the T-Birds visibly lacking in that department last season, Herrington and staff made it a point to improve their rotation all around.
Herrington has done just that, bringing in talented and tougher freshmen this season, some of whom in certain positions are making a case to be more than just a spot on the bench.
"If you ask any of our returners they're all sweating, looking at our team this year we're a lot more physical, we're bigger, longer, taller," said Herrington, "I have high expectations for Marley Avechuco and Carolisa Folau who have really taken to their roles and have excelled in preseason. Aolani Motu is a threat from wherever you put her on the floor. I expect everyone on my roster to excel."
On day one, Folau was exposed to the immense amount of talent on the T-Bird roster which pumps confidence into her and her teammates who are poised to make a deep run this season.
"Coming into the first day, just with the amount of talent I saw, I knew we were going to be a good team. I think we can get far this year," said Folau.
For Folau, playing at Mesa is more than just taking the court in the T-Bird Red and Blue every game, building a bond with her teammates and coaches is on her agenda for her freshman year.
"I hope to get closer to my teammates, grow a bond with them as opposed to just looking at it as oh we're here as a team and that be it," said Folau.
As on every team whether it be high school, JUCO, college, or professionals, the newcomers will need guidance, something Barris hopes to provide in her own unique way.
"Since we ended beach volleyball I've been thinking about this. Last year our sophomores were the best at pulling us in and making us feel welcome and I want that for myself," said Barris, "I want to be the best leader I can be."
The 2024 schedule looks a bit different than years past as Mesa's conference schedule consists of strictly DII teams when previously their schedule was made up of DI and DII competition.
Though the T-Birds won't play teams such as Eastern Arizona and Arizona Western College in conference action, Herrington wanted to continue playing DI teams on their non-conference schedule in order to prepare her team for the competition they will face if they make a national title run.
"Just the physicality that those teams bring," said Herrington when asked what DI teams bring to the table compared to DII teams, "those teams bring in a type of player that we want our players to be exposed to playing against. We want to make a run this year, those are the types of teams we'll have to play and beat at the national tournament."
Playing against the best of the best and proving they belong will be one of the many goals during Herrington's season. Another goal is to make the postseason for the first time since she took over at Mesa. Going into her third season, Herrington will be under more pressure and expectations as many third year coaches do. This will be the first season of the entire roster consisting of Herrington's recruits.
When asked about her feeling the added pressure, Herrington embraced the weight of such expectations.
"I trust in the kids I brought in, I love pressure, it's why you play and coach sports. Helping the kids understand that you trust in their abilities is key," said Herrington, "We're going to have the highs and the lows but having that relationship and connection is going to help the process and season go a lot smoother."
The T-Birds will have a tall task on their hands come Friday, taking on the defending Region I champions Scottsdale as their first regular season match. Scottsdale was the NJCAA DII National Runner-up, losing to the eventual champions, Cowley, in five sets last season.
Mesa held tough with the Fighting Artichokes last season though the scores may not dictate that.
The T-Birds fell to SCC a combined six matches to none. Within those six, Mesa lost by five points or less three times and in two of those three lost 25-23, pushing Scottsdale to their limit.
The match will begin at 7 p.m. at Theo Heap Gymnasium. Tickets will be sold at the door (see pricing below). If you can't make the action, tune into every home game at T-Birds Sports Live.
Ticket Prices - CASH ONLY!
Adults - $5
Children 12-18 & adults aged 65 and up - $3
Children under 12 & college students with school ID - FREE
PC: Credit - Zac BonDurant
