By Chad Greenhalgh
With talent being recruited locally as well as across that state of Utah and into Texas, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, California and Idaho, the USU Eastern women’s volleyball team is just wrapping up preseason play. Led by the talents of head coach Danielle Jensen and assistant coach Stacy Mortenson, this Saturday the team is ready to soar into its 2016 conference play season.
Neither Jensen nor Mortensen are newcomers to the sport of volleyball, nor to coaching it and have many years of successful experience under their belts doing both. The local coaching duo is excited for this year’s team of talent and they are looking forward to a great conference play season.
Speaking of the team roster, Jensen stated, “We have a pretty neat group of girls. They refuse to give up on the court and they are constantly trying to get better. It’s so neat to see the drive they have as individuals and as a team.”
She points out that the team is impressive on and off the court as they have, “volunteered their time in the community and will continue to do so throughout the year. They want to make our community proud and represent our town and the university well. So far they have done a remarkable job of that.”
When asked about challenges the team can expect coming into conference play, Coach Jensen noted that battling injuries during pre-season, the team has, “been short two outside hitters, which is huge when playing against some of the bigger schools.”
Being in the (SWAC) Scenic Western Athletic Conference, seats USU Eastern against three nationally-ranked teams. So the team of ladies will have their work cut out for them. Jensen and Mortensen believe the team is ready.
“They work so hard. These girls are impressive to watch, it will be fun to see how they step up,” they said.
The USU Eastern Women’s Volleyball team will be serving it up right here at home on Sept. 30 versus Southern Nevada and on Oct. 1 versus Snow College. Come out and support the team, and see their full schedule at https://usueasternathletics.com.