Sam Houston State Women’s Volleyball will open up their first conference game on Friday against Lamar at home. This preseason, the Bearkats have faced some tough competitors against teams like Baylor, Rice, Colorado and Texas State.
Many people would assume that these “big time” schools would have it easy against the Bearkats. Yet to their surprise, these girls have held their own and made it not so easy.
With close box scores of 3-2 against both Baylor and Rice, women’s volleyball has earned themselves an intimidating name heading into the season. When asked how it feels playing against big teams, Brooke White says she doesn’t mind the underdog title.
“It’s a great feeling because you know you are the underdog, so we have nothing to lose and we can just go out and play our game,” White said. “The results will take care of themselves.”
White is a sophomore from Fort Worth who has played a huge role in the team’s development as they begin this season. With 144 kills from last season as a freshman, White knows how crucial preseason is and how playing stronger teams can lead to her team’s successes.
“We played some tough teams this preseason which makes us a better team because it helps us find our strengths and weaknesses before it matters,” White said. “We have time to improve on our weaknesses and flow together as a team before conference.”
Just this past weekend, the Bearkats traveled to South Carolina for the College of Charleston Tournament where they came out with a victory against Bryant 3-1.
Unfortunately, that was the only game winner for the Bearkats out of three games this weekend. The team lost to Minnesota 3-0 and was swept by the College of Charleston 3-0 as well.
Although losing is never a good feeling, White still has great things to say about her team and believes they have separated themselves from the other Southland teams.
“We are definitely in better shape than the other teams,” White said. “We never do the same things every day. Coach really keeps variety in our practices which helps a lot in the long run.”
While remaining positive before conference play, the team will expect nothing less than a dominating season.
Catch SHSU’S opening Southland Conference matchup against Lamar Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
