The spring season continued for the Vandal volleyball Saturday when the Vandals beat Gonzaga and Eastern Washington and fell to Washington State in Memorial Gym.
In the second week of spring competition, the Vandals played two-set matches and swept Gonzaga and Eastern Washington before being swept by Washington State.
The spring season is made for improvement and Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said she’s been pleased with the progression, but said there are still things that need to be cleaned up.
“We’re still seeing some of our weaknesses on the ball control side, but overall our passing was better, our efficiency was better, our side out percentage was better, so now it’s about making the little plays and then learning how to reduce our errors,” Buchanan said.
The loss of three seniors from last year’s squad calls for an adjustment period. Idaho’s Alyssa Schultz said the team’s communication isn’t perfect, but it’s improving.
“It’s getting better,” Schultz said. “… We need to talk a lot more but as a team we’re working more cohesively.”
One of the adjustments that needs to be made is at the libero position. Cassie Hamilton played the position during recent years and is No. 6 in Idaho history in digs. This spring Janelle Chow fills the role and Buchanan said she’s making a good case for next fall.
“She’s passing better, making a lot of the hard plays,” Buchanan said. “She can do it and she’s such a fast player that we need to slow her down at times so she can evaluate it and make the play.”
Buchanan said while Chow has been doing a good job at the position, there’s still a lot of time between now and next fall and said Chow will have to earn it every day in practice.
Chow said she’ll need to continue to step up and be a leader if the spot is going to be hers.
“Libero is all about talking and being vocal, running the team, passing well,” Chow said. “I think I can compete for it and earn the spot.”
Chow said sitting behind Hamilton wasn’t always easy, but the knowledge she gained is invaluable.
“I learned a lot from her … she’s given me a lot of advice to now play the libero role and teach the younger people on the team,” Chow said.
The Vandals are back at it Saturday when they travel to Spokane to play Gonzaga, Spokane Falls Community College and Eastern Washington. While the Vandals have seen the same teams throughout the spring season, Buchanan said any competition is good for the learning process.
“Anytime we can compete, it’s good — I mean it’s better than competing against ourselves,” Buchanan sad. “I don’t think it matters who we play, we just need to play and even if it means we play teams four times.”
Idaho will close out the spring season April 28 when the Vandals take on Washington State in a full scrimmage.
Kevin Bingaman can be reached at [email protected]