Jazmin Bulger, volleyball
FREMONT – Anytime a new coach arrives to take over a program, there is an adjustment period. The coach adjusts to the players and the players adjust to the new philosophies and demands of the new coach.
And then they go to work together.
For Ross first-year coach Kari Shull and her new team that adjustment has been as much about the mental approach to the game as much as the physical.
“I think we’ve gotten a lot better,” said senior Jazmin Bulger. “The way she sets up practice, a lot of times, she’ll have us separate into groups, based on our positions, and I like how that works. We work on what we’re actually supposed to be doing in a game. Then she’ll put us all together at the end and you see the progress.
“You’re nervous at first, but you get used to it and it gets better.”
A season ago Ross, which opens its season Aug. 21 at home against Tiffin at 7:30, compiled a 12-11 overall record but just a 1-6 record in the TRAC. When she arrived, one of Shull’s top priorities was to start increasing the team’s fundamental acumen as well as its strategic thinking.
Lindsay Weickert, volleyball
“We’re not very good at tipping, we’re not very good at roll-shoting, we’re not disciplined about where we belonged on the court and when,” Shull said. “It’s making sure all those little technical things like to get a pass up to target, being in the right place, all of that goes into play.”
“Practices are a lot more intense and we’re doing a lot more,” senior Lindsay Weickert said. “We have so much going on at the same time, we’re always touching a ball, always practicing and working hard.”
Shull, whose previous head coaching positions included Columbus-area schools Groveport Madison and Olentangy, said Ross’ path to being competitive in and out of the league lies in its work ethic.
“They need time on the court. Time on the varsity court,” she said. “It’s all about the strategy and the volleyball IQ. When do I use these tools and at what time? How do I work with her? How do I partner with her? When do I set to her? When do I pass straight up? It’s all of that.”
Offensively, Ross will be looking to 6-foot junior Olivia DeRodes and 5-11 junior AnneMarie Moses to provide big arms in both the front and back rows, assisted by setters Aliza Quick (a senior) and Isabelle Held (a sophomore). Defensively, Sara Hrynciw and Maddison Baacke will be looked to keep the opposition from extending scoring runs.
Olivia DeRodes, volleyball
“We’re really working on fine-tuning on the all niches of all 11 players on varsity in order to make the best use of our talent in order to get some wins,” Shull said. “I’m pretty sure I know where the pieces fit best, it’s a matter of getting them to understand the faster pace of the game and the volleyball IQ.”