Volleyball Rookies Ready for Season

AMES, Iowa - The inaugural volleyball match of the 2007 season is less than a week away, but with nearly two weeks of practice and an intrasquad scrimmage under their belts, the jitters are gone for this season's freshman class. They are ready to play. But for freshmen Cassie Pratt and Ashley Mass, the eagerness to start their rookie seasons didn't come without difficult transitions.

“My biggest challenge has been being away from home,” said Mass. “It's hard just playing with different people and trying to get used to who is around me.”

For Pratt, leaving the comfort of her high school squad has also proved to be a challenge.

“My challenge has been self-confidence,” said Pratt. “I come from a really small town and this is kind of intimidating to be playing in the Big 12.”

The initial intimidation came when Pratt first interacted with the upperclassmen. But with time, she has come to know them as her teammates, not juniors or seniors.

“It was a little different at first,” said Pratt. “Obviously, playing Division I volleyball is a lot different than high school or clubs. It took a little getting used to, but I think we're all feeling a little more comfortable interacting. We had a team ice cream night and I've just been hanging out with the team a lot, so we've gotten to know each other a lot better.”

While the first practices were a bit overwhelming for the freshman, Mass knew that intensity was needed to continue bettering a program that has made its way into national rankings.

“I knew coming in that it was going to be a good program,” said Mass. “The coaching staff has really improved the program a lot in the past few years.”

To prepare for the Cyclone squad that is ranked No. 33 in the preseason CSTV/AVCA Division I Coaches Poll, Mass and Pratt kept up with summer workouts and participated on club teams.

“This summer I played club and I just went to camps and tried to keep active with volleyball and weightlifting,” said Pratt. “Basically I just tried to get in better shape.”

Pratt hopes her summer commitment to volleyball can assist the team to a strong showing in the Big 12 and even in the NCAA tournament.

“It would be nice to be higher up in the conference and we definitely need to get that bid to the NCAA tournament,” said Pratt. “I just want to be able to help the team in any way I can, whether it's being on the bench and supporting them that way, or whatever it is I need to do.”

For Mass, helping the Cyclones to a successful season in the Big 12 is her first objective. But she and the rest of the team can't ignore the excitement of a single game.

“What I'm looking for most?” asked Mass. “Playing Nebraska.”