Jesse Mahoney Q&A With CUBuffs.com

BOULDER - With the start of the 2018 season just around the corner, CUBuffs.com caught up with Colorado volleyball head coach Jesse Mahoney to preview the season.

Question: The team advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the first time in 20 years last season; just the fourth time in school history. With all of the returning talent the team brings back, what are your aspirations for this season?

Answer: I think that our success last season can be attributed, in part, to the process-oriented mindset our players adopted. Our focus was always about finding ways to get better and improving each day. We did just that - and as the season went on that growth led to a great run in the NCAA Tournament. I don't see any reason to make changes to that philosophy – we know we a have a very talented group this year and if we continue to grow as the season progresses, we will in position to compete at the highest level in our conference and nationally.

Q: Let's talk about our returning athletes, starting with Alexa Smith who was an AVCA Second Team All-American. How much of a boost does this give the team with her back in the line-up?

A: Lex does so much for this team – she is the player that we depend on every match to play at a high level in all facets of the game. It is comforting to know that no matter the situation, we have a player that can win a match for us. In addition - off the court and in the locker room, we could not ask for a better example of leadership in our program.

Q: Brynna DeLuzio had one of the best freshman seasons for the Buffs in CU history. How big of an impact will she have this season with all of her experience?

A: Brynna is a special player, not only with her level of skill and athleticism, but with her competitive desire to grow and improve as a player as well. She had a great spring in terms of focusing on parts of her game we maybe did not have the time to focus on in the fall – and she attacked them with a purpose. She also has become more comfortable in becoming a vocal leader for this team as well. Brynna will be a huge part of our success this season.

Q: Now let us break down the positions this season, starting at setter. Will Brynna still be the one directing the offense or is it possible one of the freshmen will step in and help run a 6-2?

A: There will be a lot of talent in this position this season. With Brynna coming off the season she has had and with the addition of freshman Jenna Ewert (who our staff had rated as one of the top-3 setters in the class) – we certainly have some good options to take a look at during the preseason. Whether we are in a 5-1 or a 6-2 will depend on what puts our team in the best position for success.

Q: Naghede Abu is one of the best blockers CU has ever seen and is back for her senior campaign. Who can fans expect to see competing for the other middle blocker spot with the graduation of four-year starter Anna Pfefferle?

A: We certainly expect a lot from Naghede this season in terms of continuing her defensive dominance at the net – as well as carrying a larger load on the offensive side. This is her fourth year as a starter and I think it will be her best yet. I see the competition for the other middle spot as wide open. Dani Price made use of her redshirt season getting stronger and catching up to the speed of the collegiate game. Lillie Klemmer may be a little undersized for the position but has a great arm and can score. Freshman Allie Moger is a powerful kid who has some high level prep experience.

Q: One position that has no shortage of talent is our outside hitters. We have already talked about Alexa Smith coming back, so can you talk about the depth at this position and maybe who will be replacing Joslyn Hayes on the right side?

A: Much like the 2017 season - we will again have a lot of depth at the pins. I'm not sure who will see the most time in the opposite hitter position but we've got some great talent to choose from: Lauren Dorrell and Justine Spann have both shown signs that they could step in and shine. Redshirt freshman Anyse Smith has a chance to have a breakout season given her athleticism. Emily DeMure, who spent time this spring setting and attacking, could see some time here as well.

Q: Gabby Carta-Samuels earned the libero position for CU early in the season last year and two juniors, Justine Spann and Rachel Whipple also played a lot in the back row. Do you expect these to stay the same or will there be any other athletes who will compete for a spot.

A: I really like our group of DS/Libero's this season. Returning Carta, Whip and Justine with so much experience in those roles is huge and I think that our defense could be as good as it has been since I have been here. We add a pair of talented freshmen in Zoe and Taylor as well so this group will be pushing each other all year.

Q: The freshman class will be looking to make an impact from the start with several decorated players joining the roster in the fall. Who are the players who could contend for a starting role?

A: Jenna Ewert and Allie Moger are both big-time competitors and I expect them to push for time on the floor from day one. Zoe Neverdowski has a very diverse skill-set giving her a couple different avenues to find time as well whether in the backcourt or at the net.

Q: For the fifth year, Colorado is competing in a version of the Pac-12/Big Ten Challenge. What are the advantages of playing this tournament since the Pac-12 schedule is full of touch competition with so many teams ranked?

A: Our players love to compete! Getting the opportunity to see other top programs from the Big Ten is something our kids look forward to every preseason – we know it will help us get prepared for the strength of teams we will be seeing in the Pac-12. Illinois will be ranked and out for a little revenge and Iowa will be very talented and dangerous.

Q: The team starts the season off with two straight tournaments on the road before playing at home. Can you talk about how these road matches will help prepare the team for the season?

A: Wyoming is one of the toughest home environments to play in. The tournament at Washington will be against neutral opponents but will still make us a little uncomfortable. We have to get used to playing big matches on the road early because we will need to get some wins later in the season on the road under duress. Everything we do in the non-conference season is to prepare us for the Pac-12 and then post-season play.

Q: Last season the team was 11-3 at home. What is it about playing at home?

A: We love to play at home at the CEC! Our kids feed off the energy of the crowd and there is just something special about a game day in Boulder. We've managed to knock off the likes of Stanford, Washington, USC and Penn State here at home in recent years and everyone knows they have to play their best to compete with us here.

Players Mentioned

Naghede Abu

Gabby Carta-Samuels

Brynna DeLuzio

Emily DeMure

Lauren Dorrell

Jenna Ewert

Joslyn Hayes

Lillie Klemmer

Allie Moger

Zoe Neverdowski

Anna Pfefferle

Alexa Smith

Anyse Smith

Justine Spann

Rachel Whipple

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