jdredmon@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

Coming off of its first losing season under coach Dave Fleming, who is entering his eighth season, the volleyball team looks to rebound and return to NCAA Tournament form of years’ past. Fleming says that it’s not a lack of talent that held the Mavs back last season, but rather their composure under pressure towards the end of games.

“A lot of it is getting comfortable with competing with a scoreboard,” Fleming said. “And that when you’re down three points you’re comfortable with it. You know you can still come back. That was the thing last year. We panicked a little bit when it got close to the end of games.”

With five players returning, who had started at least 18 games last year for the Mavs, Fleming knows that lack of experience will not be a factor either, something that had been a cause for concern last season.

“With a lot of those kids it was the first time that they started last year,” Fleming said. “Then Krista Ubersox, who is our starting setter, was injured at Oredigger last year and is now back healthy. So it’s not going to be their first rodeo. They know what to expect.”

While the team will be looking to their experienced returning players to lead the team, a number of new players have joined the roster and will help to increase the intensity level.

“We’ve added a good crew of new kids with the one transfer, Casey Ball, and the four freshmen,” Fleming said. “So the level in the gym seems like it’s picked up, but it’s going to be hard to tell until we get to Oredigger this year.”

The team starts their campaign at 3 p.m. this Friday at the Oredigger Classic in Golden.