By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University's volleyball team recently concluded its fall practices. The Bearcats worked at improving their individual and team skills throughout the fall. They also lifted in the weight room to increase strength and power. Now that formal practices have been completed for the semester, the players can complete bodyweight workouts in their own rooms.
With the fall semester nearly over -- students will leave the campus later this month and take final exams remotely in early December -- the volleyball players are looking forward to seeing their family members during the semester break. They also look forward to rejoining the team during the spring semester.
"I really miss my family," said Kyana Benjamin (Sr., MH, Lubbock, TX/Lubbock HS). "There hasn't been the opportunity to see them this semester. Getting to see them soon is helping me make it through finals."
"I'm looking forward to having home-cooked meals, sleeping in my comfy bed, and being surrounded by loved ones," Elena Vasquez (Sr., OH, Kingston, WA/North Kitsap HS) said.
Being able to spend extra time in the weight room as part of the overall practice schedule was a benefit of not having outside competition during the fall.
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to do more complex lifts safely," said Kyana Benjamin (Sr., MH, Lubbock, TX/Lubbock HS). "With the correct equipment, we were able to push ourselves more than we could during home workouts over the summer."
"I learned new complex lifts and was able to see growth in each player, including myself," commented Dani Queja (So., OH, Ewa Beach, HI/Maryknoll School).
"I really enjoyed the strength and conditioning training that we did this fall," Vasquez agreed. "I felt that there was a balance between heavy lifting, endurance, strengthening, and mobility exercises that enhanced the volleyball team's performance. I also think that Head Coach Lily Hallock, having experience with most, if not all, exercises, decreased the injury rate and improved our technique."
The limitations created by COVID-19 protocols didn't prevent the team from accomplishing a lot.
"While the team was split into two pods, one pod was allowed on the court and the other pod was off the court doing strength and conditioning," Queja explained. "Incorporating off-court strength and conditioning training during practice allowed the team to make use of the full two-hour practice."
Although the various protocols could be seen as problems or create a negative situation, for the Bearcats it was all about finding a way to practice.
"There shouldn't be reasons to complain too much this year with everything going on," Queja said. "We are fortunate and grateful to still have volleyball in our lives."
Queja plans to keep her focus on volleyball during the Winter Break. She also will be making time for her family.
"I won't let my foot off the gas pedal," Queja said. "We will keep on working! We are a team that's really hungry to play.
"I am looking forward to being back home with my family," Queja added, "but most especially with my soon-to-be five-year-old sister, Danica."
