The Coach’s Corner: Colleen Munson, volleyball

By Chelsea VanderWoude
Western Herald

On this installment of the Coach’s Corner, we sat down with Western Michigan University head volleyball coach, Colleen Munson. Sitting down with Coach Munson was a great experience and gave us all much insight on the upcoming season.

The 2010 Bronco volleyball season is sure to be nothing short of amazing.

With five returning players and six newcomers, the team has great potential.

Munson is expecting a lot out of her girls this season. After losing four starters this past year, the team was off to a rocky start. Losing the experience, talent and leadership of the seniors from the 2009-10 season is a challenge in itself.

However, the team gained a lot from this year’s incoming class.

The returning players have a major responsibility of teaching the freshman class what it means to play for the Broncos.

The overall volleyball program is about much more than the game itself.

“We get to teach the game of volleyball and life lessons along the way,” said Munson.

The team is heavily involved in the community and have attended events throughout the year.

From volunteering at Big Brothers/Big Sisters to visiting the surrounding school districts, the girls have given as much time off the court as they have on it. Giving their time since January, many of the girls have a great grasp on what it means to be a leader.

Coach Munson is focused on the aspects of the game that she can control. For her “there is no opponent.” The girls will focus on their own side of the net, meaning, the team is going to work hard this season on improving with each game by cutting down on errors made.

Munson says the lady Broncos plan to win by “minimizing the strength of the opponent.” Attacking the weakness of each team is the approach that will most often be taken on the court. Monday is the beginning of two-a-days which will establish the role each player will take on this season.

Having five returning players and six new comers means at least one new face will have to start.

The jump from high school to college is challenging enough, add in a starting position and the stress is even higher.

Luckily, the six freshman are extremely talented. However, once the opponent begins to break down a member of the Lady Broncos, the girls will have to come together as a unit.

The youth and inexperience of the team may reflect early on. Having three fresh outside hitters, senior and captain Allyson Doyle has her work cut out for her.

She has the responsibility to teach the girls how to work around the defense and play to a speed that they are not accustomed too.

The same goes for captain Sam Viox.

“Sam is going to have to be a court leader and setter,” said Munson. “She has the responsibility of taking Terin (Norris) under her wing.”

Teaching a freshman setter how to be the sole backup will not be easy.

Terin will need to be ready to step up at a moments notice. But given her credentials, this freshman setter should not have a problem being a leader both on and off the court.
So get ready Bronco fans. The 2010 season is right around the corner and it will be a very interesting one to say the least.
The Lady Broncos have the talent to succeed this season so let’s wish them luck. They kick off the season against Arizona State University on Aug. 27 at 3 p.m.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Aug 8 2010. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
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