COC VOLLEYBALL ALL NEW.Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer VALENCIA - The first practice was just starting. The players hadn't had a chance to touch a ball, but they had their coach yelling yell v. yelled, yell·ing, yells v.intr. To cry out loudly, as in pain, fright, surprise, or enthusiasm. v.tr. To utter or express with a loud cry. See Synonyms at shout. n. at them. That's when everyone involved knew this season was going to be different than usual for the College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. women's volleyball volleyball, outdoor or indoor ball and net game played on a level court. An upright net, 3 ft (or 1 m) high, the top of which stands 8 ft (2.43 m) from the ground for men, 7 ft 4 1/8 in (2. team. The Cougars are entirely composed of freshmen this season. The lack of a single veteran has reinforced the notion that it takes more than talent to win, as the overwhelming wave of newness has provided an added challenge for the players and their coach - who is used to guiding winning teams. Although Canyons has the athletic skills to contend in the Western State Conference, skills as basic as setting up a net have proved to be learning experiences for the team that enters Wednesday's match with a 1-1 record. ``At first it was hard,'' Cougars outside hitter/middle blocker Breanna Trudeau said. ``We didn't know what (coach Lisa Hooper hoop·er n. A maker or repairer of barrels and tubs; a cooper. ) expected of us and there's no older players to tell you. At first we were all looking around seeing what she wanted. ``The first practice, she was mad at us right away. We were slow putting up the nets and she got mad at us. Then she sort of realized, OK, this is all new to them. The rest of the practice went pretty good after that.'' Hooper said she hasn't had a team this young since her first season in 1998. Two players from last season were expected to return, but one left the school and the other decided to redshirt red·shirt tr.v. red·shirt·ed, red·shirt·ing, red·shirts To keep (a college or school athlete) out of varsity competition for one year in order to extend the athlete's period of eligibility. because of an injury. Hooper didn't learn until late June that she wouldn't have any sophomores. ``Even just one player who's been there, done that is a big difference,'' Hooper said. ``I don't have anyone who I can say, `You remember how we did that?' or who's familiar with the way I do things. And they don't have anyone to relate to them what to expect at this level. It's different coming from a teammate than a coach.'' Last week's loss to Irvine Valley Irvine Valley may refer to:
``We were a little bit hesitant,'' Hooper said. ``We started to second- guess ourselves. Maybe with a few more matches under their belts they won't be so easily frazzled. ... ``They are still learning just how high some of the players can take their game. The challenge for me is right now I'm not worried about what's going on What's Going On is a record by American soul singer Marvin Gaye. Released on May 21, 1971 (see 1971 in music), What's Going On reflected the beginning of a new trend in soul music. on the other side of the net. I'm just worried about whether my team is working together and doing what it should be, I don't have time to focus on the other teams yet.'' The depth in a lineup A criminal investigation technique in which the police arrange a number of individuals in a row before a witness to a crime and ask the witness to identify which, if any, of the individuals committed the crime. that has yet to be solidified so·lid·i·fy v. so·lid·i·fied, so·lid·i·fy·ing, so·lid·i·fies v.tr. 1. To make solid, compact, or hard. 2. To make strong or united. v.intr. is one of the team's assets. Haley Mays and Natalie Coe are sharing setting duties, and four others are in the rotation as middle blockers. Trudeau and Taryn Maxwell are leading hitters. ``I'm kind of glad we're all on the same boat,'' Trudeau said. ``I think it's better. It's a big learning experience. I think it's better we're all learning together instead of having maybe one or two people who are out ahead of everyone else.'' Only a few of the players had previous experience together, but they have already become close. The Cougars went on a preseason retreat to Mammoth mammoth, name for several large prehistoric elephants of the extinct genus Mammuthus, which ranged over Eurasia and North America in the Pleistocene epoch. and had other bonding activities, such as a scavenger hunt scavenger hunt n. A game in which individuals or teams try to locate and bring back miscellaneous items on a list. . They continue to go out dancing and frequently hang out with each other off the court. The fun continues on the court but in a serious manner that has impressed Hooper. ``Everyone on the team is the type that loves to win,'' Mays said. ``If we lose, yeah, we're all freshmen, so there's no pressure. But we want to win, we aren't waiting for next year. ``We expect ourselves to do a lot better than we have been doing. We just have to get to know each other better. We're getting there.'' Heather Gripp, (818) 713-3607 heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: College of the Canyons outside hitter/middle blocker Breanna Trudeau plays on a Cougars team made up entirely of first-year college players. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News |
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