Ask any member of Women’s Volleyball (5-0) their expectations for this season, and you get the same response: mum’s the word.
But anyone who has followed the Blues knows that they are itching to return back to the laurels of their four-year title streak that ended in 2004. After finishing second last year and third the year before, the goal as always is an Ontario University Athletic championship.
With eight returning veterans, including the clutch core of Asya Denilova, Gioia Canciani and Mila Miguel, the Blues are primed for a comeback.
“We don’t focus on winning championships,” said head coach Kristin Drakich. “Instead of looking too far ahead, we take care of the little things. But our high goals remain consistent.
“The bottom line is execution, taking care of our business on our end of the court. We might change a few things tactically, but that’s dependent on our play. We don’t change depending who our opponents are. It’s the little things that make a successful team: ball control and serve-receive. Those two set the tone, as serving tough and strong passing puts pressure on that other team, it gives them trouble.”
To make that trouble, the Blues rely on their setter, Denilova, a two-time All-Canadian.
“If we are passing well, then we’re able use the full extent of her skills. She’s a tremendous attacker as well as a strong and consistent passer,” Drakich said.
Another strength of the Blues is their prowess on the defensive side of the net. In a four-set win over Wilfred Laurier Monday, U of T had three players record 20 digs or more over the course of the match.
“The biggest thing is defence,” Drakich said. “We need everybody to do their role. We’re not a team where one person could take over a match. When we work together we are very strong.”
While the Blues boast a strong and unified front, Drakich does believe the team needs to work on their attacking, especially from their middle hitters.
“We need to utilize our middle a bit more, as it keeps the other team off-balance,” she said. “Getting production from the middle would prevent opposing hitters from dropping back and setting up to block.”
U of T will attempt to do just that as they travel to Ottawa (5-1) this weekend to take on a team tied with the Blues atop the OUA East.
“They have the same lineup as last year, and they finished third in the OUA tournament,” Drakich said. “Everybody is so strong in this league, and anything can happen. It’s still early in the season, and the schedule has been tough on us. We’ve been on the road the last four weekends.”
This weekend will be the fifth in a row, and next weekend the sixth, as U of T will travel to Thunder Bay to take on Lakehead in a two-day set. Difficulties aside, the Blues have been road warriors, as they have shut out opponents three times this year.
Home-cooking starts November 25 when the Blues will host Queen’s University. From then on, U of T will stay away from the bus until well into the new year.
While the going may be tough now, a little perseverance might make way for another banner in the rafters come March.
