Pacific takes it one point at a time
Boxers will focus on their game instead of what their opponent is doing
Make every point count, no matter the opponent.
Head coach Lena Chan’s goal for her second year leading the Pacific volleyball program is that simple. The strategy is to focus on the Boxers’ own game rather than worry about who the opponent is, their ability or their ranking.
“Our goal is to never talk about the other team,” Chan said. “We’ll be going to McMinnville or Salem, not necessarily going to Linfield or Willamette. We need to worry about playing every point our way instead of worrying who is on the other side.”
That simple of a direction seems to be smart for what is a relatively young Pacific team. Despite an almost even split squad of seven returners and six freshmen, there are just three juniors on the roster and no seniors. That has not hindered progress in the preseason as those who gained a year of experience under Chan in 2008 – led by First Team All-Northwest Conference middle blocker Kelsy Takashima – seem to be doing a good job of leading the newcomers.
“This group learns quickly,” Chan said. “The group that was here last year, the sophomores and juniors, are dictating the pace. That’s nice because in our spring practices you could really feel that difference in the gym.”
That leadership has created a fierce competitiveness on the court as both returners and newcomers vie for starting positions, but has also added a strong component to the team’s chemistry. The competitiveness, coupled with a one-point-at-a-time mantra, has kept the team focused.
Chief among the returners is Takashima, who became Pacific’s first ever freshman First Team All-NWC selection a year ago. In rather unassuming fashion, Takashima notched 215 kills and a .279 attack percentage, second best in the conference.
“She works hard every time she touches the ball,” Chan said. “She never takes advantage of a situation and never takes anything for granted. She works hard all of the time because she is never comfortable with herself. She can always do better.”
Chan won’t put a win count on what will make the season successful, instead choosing to focus on the idea of continuing to learn the game and take it one point at a time.
“We will make some mistakes because of our age and our experience level,” Chan said. “That is fine, as long as we can learn from it.
“I can’t tell you where we will finish in the conference, but I think we have the potential to finish a lot higher than we have in the past.”