LSU’s sand volleyball team is steadily improving in its second season of existence, moving closer to its ultimate goal.
In its inaugural season, LSU was not able to recruit players and had to improvise and get indoor players for the sand game.
“Last year was more of a situation where we knew it would be a transitional period getting inside players to come outside”. Coach Russell Brock said. “We needed them to be proficient in a short amount of time as hybrid players”.
At the conclusion of its first season the team began to recruiting “sand only” players to come play for LSU.
“One of the goals coming in for us this year was to get sand only players to come play for team to help us compete at the highest level”. Brock said. “We train to the best of our ability to prepare for every event”.
Even though the team is only in its second season, the development and improvement is becoming key to the teams success.
LSU faces a challenge not being the deepest team, relying on only 10 players to contribute. Next season they hope to see that number grow to about 14, which will help in case of injury.
Last year, the team finished with a 6-10 record with a 3-7 record away from home. In 2014 LSU sand volleyball was a team made up of indoor players not completely familiar with how sand volleyball worked.
Brock tries to sell the advantages and resources of LSU to recruits when trying to get them and help build the program. He also sells the vision of the program and what he plans to build here at LSU.
“We show our recruits what it means to be a Tiger”. Brock said “We try to get recruits here who want to set the standard for Sand volleyball at LSU and build a strong tradition here for years to come.
Being a program for less than two years isn’t an excuse for the Tigers, with the goal to win every time they step on the sand.
Brock said the ultimate goal is a National Championship and the team is always looking forward to it.
College athletes are students first, however and this hasn’t been forgotten at LSU. The team tries to develop great players, but want them to excel in the classroom before anything else.
“Developing well rounded student-athletes and graduates is the most important goal we have”. Brock said. “Most student-athletes will go into a profession after college outside of sports, students with high-character is something we value and that will never change”.