The NAIT women's volleyball team is prepping for their entry into the 2024-25 season. Head Coach Erminia Russo Thorpe has a sense of cautious optimism about the season ahead. "We've just improved and improved year after year," she stated. "When I see the recruits we've brought in, the veterans who have played previously, I think it's a really good group." 

When it comes to the team's goals for the season, Russo Thorpe is candid: "Ultimately, we would love to qualify for provincials — that's where everyone wants to be in the league, right?" To do so, the team will need to be among the top four in the north by February. 

The current group is looking promising for achieving this goal. "From what I see in practices, we're stronger in every area, in every position. And so that was something that when I was recruiting, I made sure to look for," Russo Thorpe said. 

One of the standout aspects of this year's team is its chemistry. Russo Thorpe credits the strong leadership from veteran players, such as fifth-year player Anna Atcheynum and fourth-years Tanisha McQueen and Jessica Zilinski, who foster a positive team environment. "They've been around long enough to know how things should be in the team room and what to do — what not to do," she explained.  

The integration of the new recruits has further bolstered this positive dynamic. "That's one thing I'm very happy with," she explained. "When you recruit, you bring in players you feel are going to add to the chemistry and be part of a positive effect... It's all been very seamless." The combination of team synergy and better athletes will hopefully bring in the results the program is looking for.  

The team has identified several key challenges. Chief among them are the historically strong teams like Lakeland College, King's University, and Red Deer Polytechnic. Russo Thorpe recognizes that these matchups will be crucial to their success, and the team will need to play on their level to claim a spot in the postseason. Since the NAIT team hasn't played many exhibition matches this year, it can be hard to judge how they'll fare in the league games.  

In addition, injuries have posed an unfortunate early-season hurdle. "Injuries are something you know will happen, but you hope they don't occur as you prepare for games," she admitted. Staying healthy is critical, which is why the coaching staff places a strong emphasis on their strength and conditioning training to mitigate this issue. 

The mental demands of balancing athletics and academics also pose a challenge. The league starts just while midterms are getting underway for the student-athletes. 

Nevertheless, the team is undaunted and eager to put their skills to the test in competition. With seven weeks of training completed, the players are ready for their debut. As Russo Thorpe succinctly puts it, "We're looking forward to seeing what we can do."  

The NAIT women's volleyball team is poised for an exciting season ahead with a blend of seasoned leaders, fresh talent, and a commitment to improvement. They play their first game on the road against Keyano College on October 25th at 6 pm.