HICKORY, N.C. – Coming off a record-setting 2016 season, the Catawba Valley Community College volleyball program is focused on making even more history in 2017.
The Red Hawks finished a program-best fourth in the nation last fall under Shannon Hudson, who enters her ninth season as the head coach of the CVCC volleyball program.
"I think especially in the environment that we are in where we are a JUCO and you only have these players for two years, every year is a new year," Hudson said. "Yes, we are so thankful for the success that we had last year. I think every year does build on one another. It's kind of the environment you create, but you just have to treat each team like a new team because it is."
Five sophomores return from last year's CVCC volleyball team, including Hailey Tatu, Leslie Leonard, Sabrina Pinard, Mallory Bailey and Ramsey Fulmer.
"I think it's really important for them to step up and take that leadership role," Hudson said of her sophomores. "You kind of look to see who is going to step up, take the lead and be that person or those people that everyone looks up to and kind of follow. This year's team, they really care about each other and work hard together. The team unity is great. I know the season hasn't started yet and we haven't experienced a big loss, but they are just a great group of girls who genuinely care about each other on and off the court. I feel like that translates to success on the court."
Bailey, a Bandys High School grad, and Fulmer, who graduated from Smoky Mountain High School, were recently voted team captains for 2017. Hudson expects both athletes to lead the way for her program this fall.
"They've nicknamed (Ramsey) 'mom' because that's what she is. She's such a 'mom' to the girls," Hudson said. "She keeps everyone organized – even me. She's a leader on and off the court. If the girls have questions about classes, what to do in the area or apartment issues, she is the one that everyone feels comfortable calling. Even before we voted, there was no doubt in my mind that 'Mom' Ramsey was going to be chosen as one of the leaders. She was already showing so many of those qualities, even as a freshman last year.
"Mallory Bailey is just a great, great kid," Hudson added. "She loves playing volleyball, but more than that she loves the people she plays with, and it shows. She really cares about her teammates. She would do anything for any of them. I think that's the reason they selected her as a team captain. They know how she feels about them, and that she is there for them no matter what. She steps up big on the court. She's one of our middle hitters this year. She's doing a great job. I'm excited to see her play."
With 11 sophomores departing the CVCC volleyball program last season, a group of eight young, yet talented freshmen will try to fill those voids.
"We are freshmen heavy," Hudson said. "They've got to step up and kind of fill some big shoes. At the same time, I try to tell them that they are a new team. Don't try to be like last year's team. Create your own identity, work hard and see how far you guys can go together. Yes, we play off last year's success, but at the same time, we let them know they are a different team. Be the team that we are and don't try to be like anybody else."
The Red Hawks' motto for the 2017 season is "Win The Moment" – something Hudson and her players came up with during a recent team bonding trip to West Virginia and New York.
"We are trying not to look too far into the future, but rather on getting better every day and making that next pass, next set or next hit that's going to make the big difference," Hudson said. "That's our main focus right now. I think it takes some of the pressure off. Sometimes you come in the first day and say 'we're going to win a national championship.' It puts some much pressure on them, and when you lose that big game or you have that big injury, it just kind of takes some of the drive and focus away. If you kind of take a step back and say winning a national championship would be great and it is our goal, but let's not look too far into the future. Let's focus on our next game and let's focus on what we need to do right now in practice to get better."
CVCC's volleyball schedule this year includes several road tournaments to Florida, Alabama and Ohio – where the fourth-ranked Red Hawks will play No. 3 Owens in a match-up of top-five nationally-ranked programs.
"I love to going to Ohio at the beginning of the season because it's a really good barometer of where we are and what we need to work on," Hudson said. "It kind of puts a spotlight on your team and lets you know what went really well and what didn't go so well. It's just great to start off the season with that and be able to evaluate your team against some of those top-10 and top-20 teams in the country."
As for her expectations for her team this fall, Hudson believes her player's attitudes have helped to set the tone.
"I think the players who move into that sophomore role have kind of upped the expectations every year," she said. "It's not anything they are doing on purpose, but they are saying 'this is where we were last year, so let's take it one more step.' In the classroom, they work hard with study hall hours and on their progress reports. I'm finding that as a coach I'm having to stay on them less and less with every season that comes. It's just some pressure off me because they are taking the responsibility on themselves. That's nice to kind of see them step up and take the lead as far as what they are pushing each other to do."
The Red Hawks open their 2017 volleyball season on Tuesday, Aug. 29 at home against USC-Lancaster. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
Hudson said the contest against the Lancers is important in setting the tone for the season.
"I think it sets a precedent for the year," she said. "We've been known for the past five or six years as being dominant in the conference. For us to come out strong is really important just to let ourselves – as much as anybody else – know that this is where we are in the conference. It's really important to finish at the top of the conference. That way we are setting ourselves up for success going into the district tournament."