2022 Season Outlook

2022 SEASON

OUTLOOK

As the West Virginia University women’s volleyball team looks to continue their momentum into the 2022 season, it’s time to hear what head coach Reed Sunahara expects to see from his team this season. Entering his eighth season with the Mountaineers, Sunahara most recently led his team to its most successful season in program history. The squad posted a program-best 8-8 record in conference play, good enough to tie a program record and finish third. Additionally, WVU qualified for its first NCAA tournament berth in program history. This season will be the first season since 2019 that WVU will return to its pre-pandemic schedule format. During the previous two seasons, programs played a double round-robin format. Competitions will no longer be held at the same site on back-to-back days. Sunahara’s players are certain to give it their all on the volleyball court this fall. With the first competition in sight, Sunahara sat down to share his thoughts on the Mountaineers’ upcoming season.

You are coming off one of the best seasons in WVU volleyball history. How will you and your team continue the momentum into this season?

We had a good year last year. We want to build off what we did and keep the momentum going. I think the players that we have are talented. We’re just going to be young. There are going to work hard, and we’re going to get there. I’m looking forward to the season and seeing what we can accomplish.

You have a lot of new faces joining the team. Seven to be exact. How has it been getting them adjusted to the team?

I think they are making good adjustments, and they are adjusting well. They’ve been working hard in the weight room and conditioning. They’ve also been playing in open gyms.

Are there any newcomers that could make an impact?

They’re going to have to. I don’t know how many freshmen we are going to start, but it’s going to be a lot. It’s good because they can build the foundation and make this their team and their program. I’m excited. They’re talented, and we just have to put everything together.

What is your plan for the freshmen to help them be able to make that impact?

They have to get experience quick, but do you get experience? You get experience by playing. A lot of them played at a high level, which is good. I don’t think we’ve had that a lot in the past. I think a lot of the ones in the 2022 played at a high level, so they understand what they need to do. But playing in college is a lot different than playing in club or high school, so they just have to learn. Through practicing and teaching, we’re going to get them to where they need to be.

A total of seven letterwinners return to the court this season. Who are your key returners?

(Fifth year outside hitter) Adrian (Ell), for one, because she was first team all-conference last year and was voted preseason first team. We expect a lot out of her. We’re happy that she is on our team and here. I think she can have an even better year than she did last year. The other returner

that we have is (Junior outside hitter/ defensive specialist) Skye Stokes. She is getting better and better every year. She is going to make a big impact on what we are trying to do. Those two especially, and the other returner is (Senior defensive specialist) Natalie Winter. She is trying to find court time and where we can get her to play. She’ll figure it out. The three of them have the most experience, and we expect a lot of contributions from them, not just on the court but from a leadership standpoint as well.

What does having those experienced players mean to a young team like this one?

It brings a lot, and they’ve been through a lot. They understand what the team needs. They understand both me and the program. (Fifth year outside hitter) Adrian (Ell) has been here for two and a half years, and we meet all the time. I tell her to drop her knowledge onto the younger players, and she is. She has been a good captain and leader for us.

Who are you expecting to take the biggest jump this year both in terms of talent level and their role on the team?

One of the freshmen. I don’t know who, but one of the freshmen is going to do it, and I hope multiple freshmen can do it. We’re looking forward to it. I think we’re young, we’re talented. They’re expecting a lot, so we’re going to work hard and get to where we need to.