University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Three Keys to a Successful Preseason for Louisiana Volleyball
8/16/2021 3:43:00 PM | Volleyball
Head coach Kristi Gray places focus on the intangibles during first fall camp at Louisiana
LAFAYETTE - One week into the preseason practice period for Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Volleyball in advance of the 2021 season, head coach Kristi Gray examines the three key points of emphasis the squad is focused on as preparations for competition continue.
As her inaugural season directing the Ragin' Cajuns efforts on the court approaches, with opening weekend of the regular season set for Aug. 27-28 at the Southern Miss Classic in Hattiesburg, Miss., Gray and the coaching staff will continue to focus their attention on the following:
ESTABLISHING THE CULTURE OF THE PROGRAM
KG: "With the culture being our main focus there are a certain things that we preach to them every day. Mainly, we talk a lot about communication, being disciplined and intentional in all things they are doing, and living by the word 'family' as we break out of every huddle. I love Jon Gordon books and one thing I have taken from him over the years is that I have a no complaining rule - I tell them if they are complaining they aren't getting better. As a staff we have already seen tremendous growth from the culture side, and that's great!"
BALL CONTROL AND TECHNIQUE
KG: "This team is so eager and willing to learn. They are like sponges right now and we are feeding them all of the information we possibly can. We have put them through a lot of drills where they are forced to communicate and really have to focus in. It's helping them build mental focus because of how exhausting and repetitive it is."
BUILDING TEAM CHEMISTRY
KG: "We have had some type of team-building exercise each day since we started, whether it is coach- or team-initiated. We want them to have fun and enjoy what they are doing. That will naturally help form the relationships. As an example, we recently visited the science museum downtown and grabbed gelato after. When we were leaving it was raining and we were all soaked by the time we got back to our cars. They could have very easily all complained and been upset but they made the most of the situation ... some of them were even singing and dancing."
FINAL THOUGHTS
KG: "We are a week in to fall camp now and a lot of work remains, but we have made progress in all of these areas. The most satisfying thing for me so far has been seeing them smiling, hearing that they are having fun and are enjoying being here. To me that is what it is all about: you start with building the culture and the success will follow."
ABOUT LOUISIANA VOLLEYBALL
Louisiana begins a new era during the 2021 season, as Gray's inaugural season marks the first time a new leader is on the sidelines since 2008. The Ragin' Cajuns (17-7, 11-5 Sun Belt in 2020) seek to build upon the program's first-ever, back-to-back seasons of double-digit wins in Sun Belt Conference play and continue the climb to the top of the league standings.
The roster makeup is an even blend of nine returning players and nine newcomers. Leading the returners is 2020 All-Sun Belt performers Kelsey Bennett and Kara Barnes plus two-year starting libero Hannah Ramirez. Last season, Bennett averaged a career-best 3.2 kills and digs per set, Barnes ranked Top 10 in the Sun Belt with a .311 hitting percentage and Ramirez stretched her streak of consecutive matches with double-digit digs to 36 straight (dates back to Oct. 11, 2019).
The Ragin' Cajuns newcomer corps is headlined by Odessa College transfers Siena DeCambra and Emery Judkins who followed Gray to Louisiana and Division I transfers Coco Gillett (SFA), Chinelo Ogogor (Wichita State) and Jordan Valley (South Florida).
Competition begins when the Ragin' Cajuns travel to face in-state foe Northwestern State in an exhibition match on Aug. 21, then one week later the official season opener occurs on Aug. 27 vs. Southern Illinois at 12:30 p.m. in the Southern Miss Classic.
The first home match of Gray's tenure is slated for Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. with a non-conference contest against Lamar – the first of 10 contests for the Ragin' Cajuns on their home court at Earl K. Long Gym.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsVB), Facebook (/RaginCajunsVB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsVB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Volleyball.
-- RaginCajuns.com --
As her inaugural season directing the Ragin' Cajuns efforts on the court approaches, with opening weekend of the regular season set for Aug. 27-28 at the Southern Miss Classic in Hattiesburg, Miss., Gray and the coaching staff will continue to focus their attention on the following:
ESTABLISHING THE CULTURE OF THE PROGRAM
KG: "With the culture being our main focus there are a certain things that we preach to them every day. Mainly, we talk a lot about communication, being disciplined and intentional in all things they are doing, and living by the word 'family' as we break out of every huddle. I love Jon Gordon books and one thing I have taken from him over the years is that I have a no complaining rule - I tell them if they are complaining they aren't getting better. As a staff we have already seen tremendous growth from the culture side, and that's great!"
BALL CONTROL AND TECHNIQUE
KG: "This team is so eager and willing to learn. They are like sponges right now and we are feeding them all of the information we possibly can. We have put them through a lot of drills where they are forced to communicate and really have to focus in. It's helping them build mental focus because of how exhausting and repetitive it is."
BUILDING TEAM CHEMISTRY
KG: "We have had some type of team-building exercise each day since we started, whether it is coach- or team-initiated. We want them to have fun and enjoy what they are doing. That will naturally help form the relationships. As an example, we recently visited the science museum downtown and grabbed gelato after. When we were leaving it was raining and we were all soaked by the time we got back to our cars. They could have very easily all complained and been upset but they made the most of the situation ... some of them were even singing and dancing."
FINAL THOUGHTS
KG: "We are a week in to fall camp now and a lot of work remains, but we have made progress in all of these areas. The most satisfying thing for me so far has been seeing them smiling, hearing that they are having fun and are enjoying being here. To me that is what it is all about: you start with building the culture and the success will follow."
ABOUT LOUISIANA VOLLEYBALL
Louisiana begins a new era during the 2021 season, as Gray's inaugural season marks the first time a new leader is on the sidelines since 2008. The Ragin' Cajuns (17-7, 11-5 Sun Belt in 2020) seek to build upon the program's first-ever, back-to-back seasons of double-digit wins in Sun Belt Conference play and continue the climb to the top of the league standings.
The roster makeup is an even blend of nine returning players and nine newcomers. Leading the returners is 2020 All-Sun Belt performers Kelsey Bennett and Kara Barnes plus two-year starting libero Hannah Ramirez. Last season, Bennett averaged a career-best 3.2 kills and digs per set, Barnes ranked Top 10 in the Sun Belt with a .311 hitting percentage and Ramirez stretched her streak of consecutive matches with double-digit digs to 36 straight (dates back to Oct. 11, 2019).
The Ragin' Cajuns newcomer corps is headlined by Odessa College transfers Siena DeCambra and Emery Judkins who followed Gray to Louisiana and Division I transfers Coco Gillett (SFA), Chinelo Ogogor (Wichita State) and Jordan Valley (South Florida).
Competition begins when the Ragin' Cajuns travel to face in-state foe Northwestern State in an exhibition match on Aug. 21, then one week later the official season opener occurs on Aug. 27 vs. Southern Illinois at 12:30 p.m. in the Southern Miss Classic.
The first home match of Gray's tenure is slated for Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. with a non-conference contest against Lamar – the first of 10 contests for the Ragin' Cajuns on their home court at Earl K. Long Gym.
FOLLOW THE RAGIN' CAJUNS
Follow the Ragin' Cajuns on Twitter (@RaginCajunsVB), Facebook (/RaginCajunsVB) or Instagram (@RaginCajunsVB) to stay up-to-date on all that is happening with Louisiana Volleyball.
-- RaginCajuns.com --
Players Mentioned
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