Recruiting class of 2013 injects shot of confidence into Bulldog volleyball
By Jake Knabel, Director of Athletic Communications
With the volleyball program in need of an infusion of talent and athleticism following the 2012 campaign, third-year head coach Scott Mattera found exactly the right mix. As part of his first complete recruiting class, Mattera welcomed the likes of then incoming freshmen Paige Getz, Alayna Kavanaugh, Tiegen Skains and Taylor Workman and NCAA Division II transfer Claire White.
With some key upperclassmen such as middle Mariah Schamp already in the mix, Concordia went 17-14 in 2013 to mark the program’s first winning season since 2007. Now the outlook appears even rosier in 2014 with the cupboard fully stocked.
Should the Bulldogs reach the lofty heights they seek over the coming seasons, the 2013 recruiting class will serve as the driving force.
“I loved the idea of being able to help build up a program,” Getz said. “It feels good to be part of something so big.”
‘Something big’ did not seem farfetched at all for a group that all brought winning pedigrees. All knew what success felt like having played for high achieving high school club teams. They planned to continue those winning ways no matter what recent seasons looked like for Bulldog volleyball.
“Us incoming freshmen were all on very good high school and club teams, so we were used to winning,” said Kavanaugh, a product of Lincoln Christian High School. “Our mindset was different. We expected to win. I never knew there wasn't a winning season here since 2007 until we began our season. We were determined to have a winning season.”
That’s not to say things came easy in year one for the new group of Bulldogs. They rattled off five wins to begin the season, but there were growing pains at times. And the top dogs of the conference were there to remind Concordia of who it wanted to be and that it still had to blossom in order to reach that level.
Getz, a native of Paola, Kan., said she could feel the obvious step up in talent, moving from high school to college. She found her groove in the latter half of the season and wound up second on the team with 304 kills in her rookie season.
“The biggest adjustment I faced was that everyone plays at the same (high) level – no one really stands out,” Getz said. “That is a major adjustment coming from a smaller high school where people really stand out. There's so much talent in our league. It takes a lot of hard work to keep up.”
Concordia is equipped as its been in several years in regards to keeping up in a league that boasts three teams ranked in the top 13 of the national poll. One of those squads – No. 7 Midland – got all it could handle in the GPAC quarterfinals last season. The Bulldogs took the first set before ultimately falling victim to the eventual conference tournament champion.
“I think the end of last season, especially the game against Midland, proved that we have great potential,” Workman said. “After that game, we saw just how good of a team we could be and everyone was motivated to put in the work it took to become that team. We all worked really hard during spring season, getting stronger, faster and more explosive. I expect that if we continue working as hard as we have during spring season and preseason this year, we will be a very successful team.”
The talented class fit in well among teammates known for their high quality character, hard work on and off the court and commitment to serving others. Several Bulldogs described moments that confirmed they made the correct decision to join the program. Specifically, Skains always looks forward to the trips to away matches when she is able to bond with her teammates.
“I think the van rides were honestly the best thing for me,” Skains said. “On those trips, I knew I was in the right place with the right people because we would laugh until we couldn't breathe and we made it fun no matter what. The girls in this program are truly special people and I couldn't imagine being with any other team.”
Skains’ comments about her teammates sound nearly identical to the types of things Getz, Kavanaugh and Workman had to say. They believe their quick adaptation to the college game and rigors of the GPAC has been accelerated by excellent team chemistry.
“The most rewarding thing about being a part of this program is how close the team is,” Workman said. “Everyone genuinely cares about one another and wants everyone to succeed. Because we are so close, we are not afraid to give and accept advice from each other which is something that not many teams do. This team is also very selfless and people are willing to fill other roles in order to help out the team.”
That selflessness is a key for a team blessed with depth at each position. After last season’s breakthrough, the Bulldogs are setting some lofty goals for what they want to attain in the coming years, with the 2013 recruiting class as a foundation.
They are not shying away from talking about things like championships and competing on a national level. As Mattera has pointed out, a team that can rise to the top of the rugged GPAC is very likely to be relevant on a national scale.
“We’re not satisfied yet and we won’t be until we’re competing for championships, not only GPAC but at the national level,” Mattera said prior to the start of the season. “We believe very strongly we will do that sooner rather than later.
“I don’t mean to put more pressure on ourselves but this is a key season for us to keep that momentum going from year 1 to year 2, that slow and steady build. We need to have a good season this year to show that all the initiatives we’ve been working on are actually paying dividends on the court.”
One thing is clear: there is no shortage of confidence among the second-year Bulldogs.
“We are no longer practicing like the team just trying to get a winning season,” Kavanaugh said. “We are practicing like the team that wants to go to nationals and finish as one of the top teams in the country. We know this is no easy road, but we are willing to accept the challenge.”
Added Getz, “I have some pretty high expectations for us. There will definitely be some national appearances coming up really soon. I can't wait to see the reactions people will have when we make it to the national championships.”
