The Norwich women’s volleyball team is continuing its winning ways, posting a 10-4 record as of Sept. 26.
Despite being a successful program, winning 41 of 79 games in its history prior to this season including a 9-21 inaugural season, the NU volleyball program averaged 53 fans per game, according to the NU athletic Web site.
April Byllaardt, 19, a history major, an outside hitter for the team, said, “The games are different than anything on campus. It is in the gym and always a fast pace. There is never a dull moment. There are always points being scored.”
Team members are enthusiatic about the two players who have joined the team this year.
Keira Holmes, 20, business management major who is a third-year defensive specialist, said, “Rose [Maryrose Meany] is our true freshman on the team. She is about 6’3″. She’s our newest middle hitter. She’s got a lot of potential and can be a definite power house in the GNAC Conference.”
Byllaardt added that Meany “is improving tremendously… Coach has really brought her up and has tried to get her up to speed and [she] will definitely be playing in years to come.”
The other new player is junior outside hitter Thea Evans.
“Thea Evans is a transfer student from New Mexico [New Mexico Military Institute] and she is really effective on the team. She is starting to pick up her game and really show how New Mexico plays a different style, and I wish we had her in our program for longer,” said Byllaardt. Holmes said, “Thea is a power house all in her own. She is freaking nasty.”
Volleyball is a quick-paced game since the matches take from 60 to 90 minutes.
“The NCAA have made several rule changes such as rally scoring and the libero to make the game quicker and more exciting,” said Amanda Cuiffo, women’s volleyball coach.
Rally scoring makes games quicker because a team does not need to be serving to earn a point. The libero is a special type of player who fosters longer rallies.
Taylor Fuller, 18, mechanical engineer and a fan of the NU volleyball team, said, “The team is pretty good; they work hard. For the most part the games are entertaining because of how into the game the team is.”
“We have the best team since I’ve been here. We are definitely a lot better than years past,” Holmes said.
Byllaardt said, “We have been doing really good and are entering the strong part of our season.”
Still the volleyball team feels unsupported. “Honestly, we need fans because during our night games we need people to come show support,” said Holmes.
New player Maryrose Meany, 18, nursing major, a middle hitter for the team, said the team was not supported by the student body. She promised, “If you come to the games, they are interesting and fun to watch.”
The volleyball team has its senior night Oct. 28. This will be the final home game for Lisset Magdaleno and Nicole Kasanoff.
Both seniors have made impressions on the team. Meany said that “Lisset and Nicole were both really good and I look up to Lisset.” Coach Cuiffo said, “Lisset has be a strong leader for us and will be missed.”
Byllaardt said, “Nicole started with the program and is a really key player leading the team.”