TEMPE, Ariz. — Under the direction of second-year head coach Sanja Tomasevic, Arizona State volleyball recently capped a strong spring campaign that saw the program net straight-set victories over the likes of San Diego State, Grand Canyon and New Mexico State.
Competing in eight matches over the course of the season, the Sun Devils only relented three sets in 18 total set opportunities.
With the 2018 season on the horizon, Tomasevic takes time to reflect on this spring, offering her takeaways, standout performers and thoughts on the future of the program.
Key Takeaways:
"I think this spring season far exceeded last year's in regards to our growth as a team from both a skills and culture standpoint. We have been able to build on the base we established this past season. Last year, I feel as if we lived in a state of fake harmony, where as now we as a team are learning that conflict is okay and a crucial part of team growth. We are learning to hold each other accountable on the basis of the standards we have set forth as a program. Where as last year when members of the team were afraid to be vocal and step on each others toes, our girls are beginning to welcome constructive criticism. I truly think the biggest place of growth for us this spring was moving from that state of fake harmony to healthy conflict"
"My staff and I worked really hard to impress on the team the notion that coaching and criticism is a vital step in the growth process. Credit to James Felton with the Table Group who as provided mentorship to our staff pertaining to the mental performance side of our sport. His insight has better enabled us as coaches to assist and guide our girls in that realm of the sport."
"The team has really taken a step forward in terms of buying into the process of growth and development. Despite the struggles we faced this past season, we returned a substantial portion of our roster. Everyone who was eligible to return did so and nobody chose to transfer. I think that says a lot about our girls and showcases our continuing growth not only as a team, but as a family. Our girls have developed the right attitude and approach to the game."
Standout Performers:
Carmen Unzue: " Carmen had an unbelievable Spring. She has a very strong personality and this Spring truly marked the first time she allowed us to coach her. It is easy to coach a kid when they are having a good day. It is when they are having a bad day, that they want to get in their own little cocoon. She has really begun to allow us to coach her on those bad days and through those tough moments."
Shelbie Dobmeier: "Shelbie had an incredible breakthrough at the end of the Spring. She has really come around and I am really beginning to see glimpses of an elite setter. I hope she continues to build on that. I know Carlos (Moreno) was really excited, because she has become his little protege. There is going to be really excited things to come if she continues to improve as she has done so this past month."
Callie Jones: "Callie Jones changed her position completely this spring from setter to defensive specialist, and I am beyond impressed with her development. She has really embraced the move. She started from zero from a development standout and has worked incredibly hard to build it up. She is doing an amazing job being a leader and learning. She is continually showing other people what it looks like to step out of your comfort zone and do what you need to do to see results. There was a moment this Spring when we were competing down in Tucson, that best showcases who Callie is as a competitor and leader. We were down, 24-22, to New Mexico State in the second set of the match after winning the first. This past season our team more than likely would have dropped the set and packed our bags. At that point I looked over and saw Callie in a frantic state itching to get on the court. She was dying for me to call her name and put her on the court. It was an awesome sight to behold. I put her in and she came in to score and help turnaround the effort. We ultimately, came back and took the set and match, in large part spearheaded by effort. Although it might of seemed a minor moment to New Mexico State, it proved an incredible moment for our girls. Their energy and excitement in the huddle following the set was palpable. It proved we have taken a step forward as a team. We are learning to not stress about score, but focus more on doing things the right way."
Ivana Jeremic: "Ivana has really improved from a technique standpoint. From last year to this year she has really taken a large step forward. She has really stepped into the role of a gamer and is comfortable being that person who gets the ball at the end of a set. If we need someone to score at any point in the game, she has become our go-to option. We as a staff did not force that upon her, she has just come upon that role naturally which is really exciting to see. The role just sort of organically fell into place."
Nicole Peterson: "Nicole Peterson has also changed positions and is going to be a pin hitter this upcoming season. She was so excited to bring out the cannon as she would say."
Moving Forward:
"I just really want to see this team continue to improve. We just finished off spring exit interviews with the girls and they kept on harping how fun it was. It really made we wonder what exactly we did differently from the fall to the Spring. Ultimately, I believe we made in incredible strides in that span. Improvement is fun. When you are improving you can see it, it's measurable. When we as a staff turn on the film, the proof is there. Continued growth will be the name of the game moving forward."
"Also I am excited about the crop of newcomers who will be joining us here shortly. My hope for them is that they will be able to quickly buy into the process and the culture we have cultivated here at Arizona State. It is sometimes challenging for newcomers to immediately buy in. The exciting thing is before we as coaches even have them in the gym, they (newcomers) have already spent a month on campus with their new teammates. It grants them a window into how our team operates and how we go about business. They can look at our returners and see how they work and interact with one another. What the returners are doing and how they act is indicative of our culture."
"Unlike other sports we do not get to work with our kids over the course of the summer, so we have to hope they continue to train and work on improving in that span."
Competing in eight matches over the course of the season, the Sun Devils only relented three sets in 18 total set opportunities.
With the 2018 season on the horizon, Tomasevic takes time to reflect on this spring, offering her takeaways, standout performers and thoughts on the future of the program.
Key Takeaways:
"I think this spring season far exceeded last year's in regards to our growth as a team from both a skills and culture standpoint. We have been able to build on the base we established this past season. Last year, I feel as if we lived in a state of fake harmony, where as now we as a team are learning that conflict is okay and a crucial part of team growth. We are learning to hold each other accountable on the basis of the standards we have set forth as a program. Where as last year when members of the team were afraid to be vocal and step on each others toes, our girls are beginning to welcome constructive criticism. I truly think the biggest place of growth for us this spring was moving from that state of fake harmony to healthy conflict"
"My staff and I worked really hard to impress on the team the notion that coaching and criticism is a vital step in the growth process. Credit to James Felton with the Table Group who as provided mentorship to our staff pertaining to the mental performance side of our sport. His insight has better enabled us as coaches to assist and guide our girls in that realm of the sport."
"The team has really taken a step forward in terms of buying into the process of growth and development. Despite the struggles we faced this past season, we returned a substantial portion of our roster. Everyone who was eligible to return did so and nobody chose to transfer. I think that says a lot about our girls and showcases our continuing growth not only as a team, but as a family. Our girls have developed the right attitude and approach to the game."
Standout Performers:
Carmen Unzue: " Carmen had an unbelievable Spring. She has a very strong personality and this Spring truly marked the first time she allowed us to coach her. It is easy to coach a kid when they are having a good day. It is when they are having a bad day, that they want to get in their own little cocoon. She has really begun to allow us to coach her on those bad days and through those tough moments."
Shelbie Dobmeier: "Shelbie had an incredible breakthrough at the end of the Spring. She has really come around and I am really beginning to see glimpses of an elite setter. I hope she continues to build on that. I know Carlos (Moreno) was really excited, because she has become his little protege. There is going to be really excited things to come if she continues to improve as she has done so this past month."
Callie Jones: "Callie Jones changed her position completely this spring from setter to defensive specialist, and I am beyond impressed with her development. She has really embraced the move. She started from zero from a development standout and has worked incredibly hard to build it up. She is doing an amazing job being a leader and learning. She is continually showing other people what it looks like to step out of your comfort zone and do what you need to do to see results. There was a moment this Spring when we were competing down in Tucson, that best showcases who Callie is as a competitor and leader. We were down, 24-22, to New Mexico State in the second set of the match after winning the first. This past season our team more than likely would have dropped the set and packed our bags. At that point I looked over and saw Callie in a frantic state itching to get on the court. She was dying for me to call her name and put her on the court. It was an awesome sight to behold. I put her in and she came in to score and help turnaround the effort. We ultimately, came back and took the set and match, in large part spearheaded by effort. Although it might of seemed a minor moment to New Mexico State, it proved an incredible moment for our girls. Their energy and excitement in the huddle following the set was palpable. It proved we have taken a step forward as a team. We are learning to not stress about score, but focus more on doing things the right way."
Ivana Jeremic: "Ivana has really improved from a technique standpoint. From last year to this year she has really taken a large step forward. She has really stepped into the role of a gamer and is comfortable being that person who gets the ball at the end of a set. If we need someone to score at any point in the game, she has become our go-to option. We as a staff did not force that upon her, she has just come upon that role naturally which is really exciting to see. The role just sort of organically fell into place."
Nicole Peterson: "Nicole Peterson has also changed positions and is going to be a pin hitter this upcoming season. She was so excited to bring out the cannon as she would say."
Moving Forward:
"I just really want to see this team continue to improve. We just finished off spring exit interviews with the girls and they kept on harping how fun it was. It really made we wonder what exactly we did differently from the fall to the Spring. Ultimately, I believe we made in incredible strides in that span. Improvement is fun. When you are improving you can see it, it's measurable. When we as a staff turn on the film, the proof is there. Continued growth will be the name of the game moving forward."
"Also I am excited about the crop of newcomers who will be joining us here shortly. My hope for them is that they will be able to quickly buy into the process and the culture we have cultivated here at Arizona State. It is sometimes challenging for newcomers to immediately buy in. The exciting thing is before we as coaches even have them in the gym, they (newcomers) have already spent a month on campus with their new teammates. It grants them a window into how our team operates and how we go about business. They can look at our returners and see how they work and interact with one another. What the returners are doing and how they act is indicative of our culture."
"Unlike other sports we do not get to work with our kids over the course of the summer, so we have to hope they continue to train and work on improving in that span."