Colorado University Athletics
Preseason Q&A With Jesse Mahoney
August 11, 2017 | Volleyball
BOULDER - The 2017 volleyball season is just around the corner as the Colorado Buffaloes kick off the season on August 25 at the Oklahoma Invitational. CUBuffs.com sat down with CU head coach Jesse Mahoney prior to the start of the season to do a quick question and answer session.
Q: Your first season at CU had some great achievements and big wins despite not advancing to the NCAA Tournament. How will you build on that?
A: We had wins over seven NCAA tournament teams in 2016 so our players are confident and know what they are capable of accomplishing heading into this season. After a second spring of training, we continue to grow more and are more comfortable in our systems and will have more depth at every position this season. We are looking forward to taking a step forward this season.
Q: You have surrounded yourself with a great coaching staff, and now this year you have been able to add a full-time technical coordinator, Eduardo Fiallos. How much will his addition help your current staff and team?
A: I'm excited to see what Eduardo will bring to our program from an analytics standpoint, both in the practice and competitions settings. We want to be on the cutting edge when it comes to film and data analysis and make sure our players have all the tools available to help them be successful.
Q: Let's talk about our returning athletes before we get to the newcomers. We return our top offensive threat, Alexa Smith, as well as Naghede Abu, both who were All-Pac-12 honorable mention selections. How much of a boost does this give the team?
A: We return a large portion of our offensive output – and Lex and Naghede will certainly be focal points in that area for us this season. Having a core of players that can carry the load night in and night out – players you can count on – will be huge for our team.
Q: Now let's break down the positions this season, starting at setter. With the departures of all three setters from the 2016 season, who are you looking at to fill that opening?
A: From the outside looking in, this position certainly looks like the biggest question mark. However, I really like our options that we have at setter this season. Emily DeMure did a great job in the spring learning and excelling at a new position for her. In addition, we bring in two highly decorated freshmen in Jaden Newsome and Brynna Deluzio who can play the position at a very high level. With this group, I think we have a chance to be very good in the setting department.
Q: The one position that doesn't have much turnover from last season is in the middle with junior Naghede Abu and senior Anna Pfefferle both returning after earning starting roles last year. Obviously there are a couple of players on the roster who will be looking to push those two in the hopes of getting some playing time. What are your expectations in this position for 2017?
A: It's very comforting to have Pfeff and Naghede returning to their starting roles this season- it's great to have continuity in such an important position, especially from a blocking system standpoint. Both had impressive spring campaigns and we expect to see great things this season from both of them. Lillie Klemmer and freshman Danielle Price are both talented players as well and certainly could see time.
Q: One position that has no shortage of talent is our outside hitters. We've talked about Alexa Smith coming back, but you also return Stephanie Shadley, Joslyn Hayes and several others. With so much talent to choose from on the left and right side, what can fans expect to see this fall?
A: We are lucky to be as deep at the pin hitter position as we are with returning starters Lex, Steph and Jos. We redshirted Lauren Dorrell and Frankie Shebby last season and both certainly will push for time now that they are in the mix. Justine Spann and Taylor Joachim saw limited time last fall but have a ton of potential as well. We will have a lot more options this season to play the hot hand.
Q: CU graduated one of its best defensive specialists, Cierra Simpson, in May. With her departure after being CU's libero for the last four years, who are you looking to step into her position and help fill out the back row?
A: We played three liberos evenly this past spring – transfer Branen Berta, Gabby Carta-Samuels and Rachel Whipple. All three played well but there was no definite separation. This position will be a battle in our preseason camp and we are looking for one of these players to go out and take the libero jersey.
Q: In the spring, you added two transfer players, Branen Berta and Emily DeMure. How did they work into the system this past spring?
A: Due to our injuries at setter, Emily spent the spring training at that position – and played quite well. Time will tell if she stays there or returns to her more natural position as a pin attacker. Branen competed as a libero and did very well. She has the toughest serve on our team and I expect her to find time on the floor as either our libero or as a defensive/serving sub.
Q: The freshman class will be looking to make an impact from the start with several decorated players joining the roster. Who are the players who could contend for a starting role this fall?
A: Jaden Newsome and Brynna Newsome are both big-time competitors who have competed at a high level as prep players. Both could step in and see time right away. One or both of them will be setting for us from day one and Brynna could also see time at libero as well. Danielle Price is a prototypical Pac-12 middle blocker – she's 6'4" and plays very high. We expect her to learn from the upper-classmen, but also hoping she can push them too.
Q: Colorado will only play 14 of its 31 contests this season at home, but traditionally the Buffs play quite well at Coors Events Center, recording .655 winning percentage, with several wins against top-ranked opponents. Will playing more games on the road be an issue for the team?
A: We love playing at CEC, but we expect to compete at a high level regardless of the venue. On the road against Illinois, Penn State, Colorado State and Oklahoma will be great tests, but we are looking forward to them.
Q: For the fourth year, Colorado is competing in the Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge, one of the most prestigious non-conference tournaments in volleyball. What are the advantages of playing this tournament since the Pac-12 schedule is full of tough competition?
A: Our team loves to compete! This tournament has given us the opportunity to match up against some of the best teams in the country outside of the Pac-12 and we look forward to it each year. I expect this year to be even more of a challenge at Illinois after sweeping the slate last year here in Boulder.
Q: Colorado State is on the schedule for the second straight year, although CU will have to head to Fort Collins in September. How much will this road test help the team prepare for the rest of the season?
A: I'm glad we have been able to get this rivalry game back on the books this season and for years to come. I think it's a great thing for volleyball fans in Colorado to be able to these two premier teams play each other. CSU is will have a very good team this year and they are obviously very tough at home. It will be a fun game and great preparation heading into Pac-12 play the following week.
Q: The Pac-12 continues to be one of the toughest conferences in the nation. In the last few season, CU has made steady improvement despite a hiccup last year. How to you plan to keep the Buffs moving up the conference standings when there are no 'nights off?'
A: There are no 'nights off' and no 'days off' either and we've adopted that mentality to how we go about things in practice gym, the weight room, the film room etc. We haven't taken a session off since our season ended last fall. I'm excited about this group because they have the right mindset to continue to work at getting better every day. We are confident that we will see the results we want if we keep putting in the work.
Q: The Buffs have not played in the NCAA Tournament for the last two seasons. What is the plan to make sure CU returns to NCAAs this December?
A: The short answer is to win games. We've got a tough but balanced non-conference schedule that will gives us an opportunity to bring a very good RPI into league play. And the Pac-12 gives us the opportunity to prove ourselves every match – there are 10 teams this year with the talent to make the NCAA tournament. The opportunity is there – we plan to make the most of it.
Q: Your first season at CU had some great achievements and big wins despite not advancing to the NCAA Tournament. How will you build on that?
A: We had wins over seven NCAA tournament teams in 2016 so our players are confident and know what they are capable of accomplishing heading into this season. After a second spring of training, we continue to grow more and are more comfortable in our systems and will have more depth at every position this season. We are looking forward to taking a step forward this season.
Q: You have surrounded yourself with a great coaching staff, and now this year you have been able to add a full-time technical coordinator, Eduardo Fiallos. How much will his addition help your current staff and team?
A: I'm excited to see what Eduardo will bring to our program from an analytics standpoint, both in the practice and competitions settings. We want to be on the cutting edge when it comes to film and data analysis and make sure our players have all the tools available to help them be successful.
Q: Let's talk about our returning athletes before we get to the newcomers. We return our top offensive threat, Alexa Smith, as well as Naghede Abu, both who were All-Pac-12 honorable mention selections. How much of a boost does this give the team?
A: We return a large portion of our offensive output – and Lex and Naghede will certainly be focal points in that area for us this season. Having a core of players that can carry the load night in and night out – players you can count on – will be huge for our team.
Q: Now let's break down the positions this season, starting at setter. With the departures of all three setters from the 2016 season, who are you looking at to fill that opening?
A: From the outside looking in, this position certainly looks like the biggest question mark. However, I really like our options that we have at setter this season. Emily DeMure did a great job in the spring learning and excelling at a new position for her. In addition, we bring in two highly decorated freshmen in Jaden Newsome and Brynna Deluzio who can play the position at a very high level. With this group, I think we have a chance to be very good in the setting department.
Q: The one position that doesn't have much turnover from last season is in the middle with junior Naghede Abu and senior Anna Pfefferle both returning after earning starting roles last year. Obviously there are a couple of players on the roster who will be looking to push those two in the hopes of getting some playing time. What are your expectations in this position for 2017?
A: It's very comforting to have Pfeff and Naghede returning to their starting roles this season- it's great to have continuity in such an important position, especially from a blocking system standpoint. Both had impressive spring campaigns and we expect to see great things this season from both of them. Lillie Klemmer and freshman Danielle Price are both talented players as well and certainly could see time.
Q: One position that has no shortage of talent is our outside hitters. We've talked about Alexa Smith coming back, but you also return Stephanie Shadley, Joslyn Hayes and several others. With so much talent to choose from on the left and right side, what can fans expect to see this fall?
A: We are lucky to be as deep at the pin hitter position as we are with returning starters Lex, Steph and Jos. We redshirted Lauren Dorrell and Frankie Shebby last season and both certainly will push for time now that they are in the mix. Justine Spann and Taylor Joachim saw limited time last fall but have a ton of potential as well. We will have a lot more options this season to play the hot hand.
Q: CU graduated one of its best defensive specialists, Cierra Simpson, in May. With her departure after being CU's libero for the last four years, who are you looking to step into her position and help fill out the back row?
A: We played three liberos evenly this past spring – transfer Branen Berta, Gabby Carta-Samuels and Rachel Whipple. All three played well but there was no definite separation. This position will be a battle in our preseason camp and we are looking for one of these players to go out and take the libero jersey.
Q: In the spring, you added two transfer players, Branen Berta and Emily DeMure. How did they work into the system this past spring?
A: Due to our injuries at setter, Emily spent the spring training at that position – and played quite well. Time will tell if she stays there or returns to her more natural position as a pin attacker. Branen competed as a libero and did very well. She has the toughest serve on our team and I expect her to find time on the floor as either our libero or as a defensive/serving sub.
Q: The freshman class will be looking to make an impact from the start with several decorated players joining the roster. Who are the players who could contend for a starting role this fall?
A: Jaden Newsome and Brynna Newsome are both big-time competitors who have competed at a high level as prep players. Both could step in and see time right away. One or both of them will be setting for us from day one and Brynna could also see time at libero as well. Danielle Price is a prototypical Pac-12 middle blocker – she's 6'4" and plays very high. We expect her to learn from the upper-classmen, but also hoping she can push them too.
Q: Colorado will only play 14 of its 31 contests this season at home, but traditionally the Buffs play quite well at Coors Events Center, recording .655 winning percentage, with several wins against top-ranked opponents. Will playing more games on the road be an issue for the team?
A: We love playing at CEC, but we expect to compete at a high level regardless of the venue. On the road against Illinois, Penn State, Colorado State and Oklahoma will be great tests, but we are looking forward to them.
Q: For the fourth year, Colorado is competing in the Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge, one of the most prestigious non-conference tournaments in volleyball. What are the advantages of playing this tournament since the Pac-12 schedule is full of tough competition?
A: Our team loves to compete! This tournament has given us the opportunity to match up against some of the best teams in the country outside of the Pac-12 and we look forward to it each year. I expect this year to be even more of a challenge at Illinois after sweeping the slate last year here in Boulder.
Q: Colorado State is on the schedule for the second straight year, although CU will have to head to Fort Collins in September. How much will this road test help the team prepare for the rest of the season?
A: I'm glad we have been able to get this rivalry game back on the books this season and for years to come. I think it's a great thing for volleyball fans in Colorado to be able to these two premier teams play each other. CSU is will have a very good team this year and they are obviously very tough at home. It will be a fun game and great preparation heading into Pac-12 play the following week.
Q: The Pac-12 continues to be one of the toughest conferences in the nation. In the last few season, CU has made steady improvement despite a hiccup last year. How to you plan to keep the Buffs moving up the conference standings when there are no 'nights off?'
A: There are no 'nights off' and no 'days off' either and we've adopted that mentality to how we go about things in practice gym, the weight room, the film room etc. We haven't taken a session off since our season ended last fall. I'm excited about this group because they have the right mindset to continue to work at getting better every day. We are confident that we will see the results we want if we keep putting in the work.
Q: The Buffs have not played in the NCAA Tournament for the last two seasons. What is the plan to make sure CU returns to NCAAs this December?
A: The short answer is to win games. We've got a tough but balanced non-conference schedule that will gives us an opportunity to bring a very good RPI into league play. And the Pac-12 gives us the opportunity to prove ourselves every match – there are 10 teams this year with the talent to make the NCAA tournament. The opportunity is there – we plan to make the most of it.
Players Mentioned
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