As the ACAC Championships draw near, NAIT Women's Volleyball is gearing up for the final stretch of their season with determination and a clear focus on the essentials. Head Coach Erminia Russo Thorpe reflects on how the team is handling the pressure of securing a potential spot at nationals. 

"I think the key is not putting too much pressure on the team," Russo Thorpe shared. "It's about focusing on what we can control right now. We still have two matches ahead, and that's where the focus needs to be on how we perform today, not how we're going to finish." 

The team's approach has been consistent all season, taking each match as it comes and putting in the work. "If we just do what we've been doing, focusing on our side of the court, we'll put ourselves in a position to succeed," she said.

Looking back at the season, Russo Thorpe acknowledges the growth of the team, particularly in tough situations. "In the last two weekends, we weren't playing our best volleyball, but I've learned that when we need a spark, our non-starters can step up. They've shown they can make an impact on the court, and that depth is invaluable as we head into championships." 

With championship week upon them, Russo Thorpe has honed in on specific areas for improvement, "We need to serve well, reduce errors, and improve our blocking. If we can get just 1 or 2 percent better in those areas, it will make a huge difference." She also emphasized the importance of consistency. "When our serving is on, we can dictate the game. But when we serve poorly, it becomes a challenge." 

As the team practices in these final days before the championship, Russo Thorpe's philosophy remains simple. Focus on their play, set high standards, and let the results follow.

"We have a certain level of play that we want to perform on our side of the court and just stick with that and not look too far at where it's going to get us, but know that if we can do that, we're going to accomplish what we've set out to do." 

The NAIT Women's Volleyball team heads into the ACAC Championships with confidence, knowing that their preparation and unwavering commitment will be key to their success. The Ooks hit the court in the quarter-finals against the RDP Queens at 1 PM.