Verl Petsch Quotations

I think it's a great tournament for us to start out in. It's enough volleyball to get a feel for what's there and not enough volleyball where you get overwhelmed right away.

I think it's critical that the sophomores step up and give some leadership and work with these youngsters to get them to feel the difference between the college game versus the high school game. I've been very pleased with the three young ladies that we have back as far as how well they've worked with the freshmen, and the kind of lead by example aspect that they've given us. Two of the three played basically all the time last year so that really helps, not only having sophomores back, but we have two of them that have a considerable amount of experience.

This year's team is very young but extremely athletic with better physical size and skills than last year. Several freshmen will have to step up and start from day one. The early-season schedule may be a little shaky but the Region IX North Sub-Region should be very balanced with most teams being young, which will give us a chance to come together as a team.

At this point in time, she's shown the ability to come in and be No. 1 on the depth chart. She's doing a good job and is improving each individual practice. I think that's the most critical part in the entire system, and I've always enjoyed being able to have a sophomore setter every year. We're not going to have that this year.

It's always nice to have at least 12 in volleyball because it makes for better practices. I prefer to have 13 or 14 just in case something happens during the year, but it's been pleasant for us to have her with us.

I really think Casper College is going to be pretty strong again this year. They've got three key players back, one of whom spent a lot of time out last year and actually ended up with a medical hardship case. So, she'll only be listed as a freshman again. I think they'll be the team to beat along with Western Wyoming. Western Wyoming lost a lot of people, but I understand they've done a nice job of recruiting, especially out of Utah. They've had some real success with those Utah kids.