North Carolina State University Athletics
PEELER: Volleyball Infused with Confidence for ACC
9/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BY TIM PEELER
In her first two seasons, Stubbs tried to build confidence in her team, as she laid the foundation for what she hopes will be long-term success. But, quite frankly, it was hard in her first two seasons for the coach to instill much confidence, as the Wolfpack won a total of five games.
Now, Stubbs and her players are feeling better about themselves as they kick off the 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference schedule, coming off the program’s biggest win since Stubbs arrived two years ago, a five-set victory at East Carolina.
“The nice thing about where we are right now is that we have a little confidence,” Stubbs said as she and her team prepared for two home ACC matches this weekend. “In the past, we have gone into the ACC season with two or three wins in the early season. And we all know that it is a totally different beast in the ACC.
“But right now we don’t have to sell being successful to them and have them buy into it without any proof. We can show them film and they can see where they were successful. The play we have had so far will allow us to be able to compete in the ACC, whereas before we couldn’t.”
The Wolfpack (6-9 overall) will face
While she wishes her first two teams could have been more successful, Stubbs knew building a team that could compete against ACC opponents would take time to build. When she talked with athletics director Lee Fowler about taking the job, she pointed to the 2008 season.
“When I talked to Lee, I said something about 2008 as the year that we do something,” Stubbs said. “This is about where we belong right now. To have over-achieved in those first two years would not have made me work as hard for my second and third years. It wouldn’t have made the kids work as hard. It is a development process and a growing process.”
In her last two recruiting classes, Stubbs has brought in a number of recruits, both freshmen and transfers. Now, all but two players on the roster are Stubbs recruits.
“Last year we got great girls and this year we got another bunch of players who just love to play volleyball and are dedicated to the sport,” said sophomore setter Alex Smith. “We have naturally come together as a team as the season has gone on. We are playing in a lot more tournaments and have gotten a lot more experience since last year. We are definitely ready for ACC play this weekend.”
Tasting success the Pack has won five of its last eight games has been a boost for everyone on the team.
“It’s contagious once you start winning,” Smith said. “I think it will keep coming.”
Arlee Tamietti, a transfer from
“We have drive, we have physical ability and we have the coaching staff who can make us better,” said Tamietti, a two-year starter at
“Our last win [over
Now, Smith said, the season prospects are looking up with two teams picked to finish in the bottom third of the conference coming to town.
“We kind of feel like all the stars are aligned for us and everything is kind of on our side,” Smith said. “That’s an awesome feeling. Last year, we were all like Maybe we will win some ACC games.’
“Now it is like, We will win ACC matches, no doubt about it.’ It’s an awesome feeling.”
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
