Pacific Index

Volleyball is ready to take on the new season

Boxer volleyball heads into this fall season with high hopes of turning things around after a disappointing season last year, in which they ended their 2024 campaign finishing 10-14 overall and 5-11 in conference play. From new recruits, to working even harder during the off-season, to building more trust within the team, the Boxers are ready to turn a new leaf—and get the ball back to the winning side of the net. The goal is a double hit: Make the conference tournament, and give their seniors a proper send-off in the process.

“It does take a lot of commitment and effort to get to the position where I am,” said Emma Velchek. “I do care a lot about my teammates, which I think is a part of the reason why I have my role.” Velchek is going into this fall coming off a career best season, finishing the 2024 campaign with 226 kills, and 183 digs. While she looks to build off that, team accolades matter more than individual accolades for her.

“It was nice to have a good season personally, but I think right now I am focused on staying consistent in my game and connection with the team,” Velchek said. “I know how I want to help the team. To even get to the conference tournament, that’s my focus. The stats are whatever. They’re nice to look at sometimes, but they’re never the main goal.” 

Velchek is entering into her junior year and third year with the Boxers. “I think just looking back, even to freshman year, I didn’t come in with a lot of expectations. I just came in to learn and see where I stood, and how I can better not just myself, but the rest of my team. So it’s really been a learning curve.”

Last season left the Boxers wanting more. Senior Captain Anneke Hanson agrees that the only way from here is up, and that the Boxers can turn it around this season. “We’re hoping to try and go for one of the spots to go to the Northwest Conference Tournament,” voiced Hanson. “So to do that, we’re really focusing on playing with each other more and trusting each other, and just having fun on the court because that’s when we play our best.”

Coach Rachel Renville took over as head coach this season and started off the year by bringing in some impressive freshman recruits. Freshman Callie Turner is already making a name for herself on the varsity squad, and making a big impact in the process according to fellow teammate Hanson. “She’s been an awesome addition,” commented Hanson. “She’s super confident and as upperclassmen we’re trying to provide the space for her to be a confident player and lead us as a setter. You have to be a good leader and so she’s been doing really well at that.”

Senior Captain Alyssa Cargill echoed Larson’s comments, highlighting what the Boxers bring to the table this year. “We have a very solid offense and defense. We have everything we need to make it happen,” reassured Cargill. “Our senior motto is ‘make it happen.’ We’ve been given the tools, so it’s up to us to make it happen in the end.”

Cargill continued, “The game has evolved so much, especially within these last five years. There’s so much more that we need to be ready for whether it’s faster tempo, new plays, etc. Coach Renville is always looking for something new to bring to the table to help us be better.”