By Nate Perry, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – A brand new coaching staff led by Jeannette Waldo is looking to bring a new attitude to the Tennessee Tech volleyball program, and after last season's struggles, no coach – or player – will be looking in the rear-view mirror.
"There's really no need to mention any seasons in the past because it is exactly that…the past," said Waldo. "Our players catch themselves comparing things to previous years and they stop because they know this is something new."
Waldo and her assistants, Peter Green and Zach Weinberg, began installing the nuances of their culture in the spring under the mantra, 'We are TECH!' meaning Together Everyone Climbs Higher.
"The spring season involved a lot of teaching and learning," Waldo said. "Our players showed a willingness to try new things and put their trust in the coaching staff quickly, and we made some great strides because of that."
"We can only climb upward as a team, and that is what we have been preparing to do. If we have everyone playing for the person next to them, the things we want to accomplish will take care of themselves."
Returning veteran players are a major key for any program going through transition. One such player is senior libero Kirsten Brugere, who was named to the Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Team this week after earning Second Team All-OVC for 2017.
The St. Charles, Mo., native finished seventh among defensive specialists in the OVC with 383 total digs in just 92 sets for an average of 4.16 digs per set. She is the first Tech player to receive postseason recognition from the conference since Cookeville native Cody Dodd in 2015.
Brugere has already made an impact on the 2018 season, using her experience to take on a leadership role throughout the preseason.
"KB has been owning the backcourt for us and is obviously motivated and ready to compete," Waldo said. "She has been mentoring our younger backcourt players and that has made her a more vocal leader and a stronger libero overall. While we have competition for the libero jersey this year, she is fighting for it every day and our other players and coaching staff are definitely taking notice."
Susie Jeziorowski will be another significant piece to the puzzle for the Golden Eagles this season. During her junior season, the Green Lake, Wis., native set up 786 kills in 87 sets for a 9.03 assists/set ratio. That number was good enough for third among OVC setters.
Senior Shealene Little and junior Rachel Thomas return as the top point-scorers for Tech last season. Little led the team with 267 kills and 2.90 kills/set, while Thomas recorded 186 kills with a team-high .230 hitting percentage.
"We are working hard as a unit and this will be a different team from those in the past, there is no question about that," Waldo said. "This group is ready to do anything for their teammates and they are great to work with. The fire has been lit within them and they are ready to compete."
The Golden Eagles' preseason schedule will culminate with the annual Purple vs. Gold intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, August 18. Tech will then kick off the regular season at the Hampton Inn Leatherneck Invitational, which will feature meetings with Fairleigh Dickinson (11 a.m.) and Evansville (3 p.m.) on August 24, before a matchup with the host, Western Illinois, at 2 p.m. on August 25.
