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Iowa State University Athletics
Soccer and Volleyball Squads Meet the Media
08.19.2008 | Soccer, Volleyball
AMES, Iowa?Already well into their preseason practices, the Iowa State soccer and volleyball teams stepped away from focusing on training and into the focus of media members Tuesday.
The soccer team started the festivities at the ISU Soccer Complex where first-year coach Wendy Dillinger talked about what fans can look to see from her squad and the Big 12 this fall.
“We are expecting great things and an exciting, competitive season,” Dillinger said. “We look to set a new tone for this team and the program.
“The Big 12 is going to be tough and it is every year,” she said. “It is a tough schedule across the board. We look to be competitive and definitely want to be in the top half.”
Squad members also took part by having their pictures taken and answering questions. The questions revolved around the new coaching staff and the areas the team is looking to improve on.
“The coaches won't accept anything less than the best from us and are pushing us every day,” goalkeeper Ann Gleason said. “They're great and we are getting a lot better very quickly.
“We are looking to play with more urgency and score more and be a more attacking team,” Gleason said. “At the same time, we don't want to let more goals in.”
“We are working on playing fast with more creativity,” midfielder Elise Reid said. “The coaches have pushed us really hard and make us want to play hard.”
Later in the afternoon, the attention shifted to Hilton Coliseum where the volleyball team met with the media and discussed expectations coming off one of the best season's in school history.
"We are excited to get things going and we've been practicing really well," head volleyball coach Christy Johnson said. "Fans will see a little different team out there this season, but we're still going to be a team that plays good defense and passes well."
With the departure of top attackers Erin Boeve and Lauren Cummings, ISU will be forced to go to different places for offense. Johnson feels the Cyclones are prepared for the challenge.
"Anytime you lose players of that caliber it's tough, but other teams around the country are dealing with the same issue," she said. "I think what you'll see is a more balanced team and I know from playing those balanced teams that it is tough to defend."
The Cyclones hope to benefit from a five-player recruiting class that ranked in the top-25, a first in the program's history.
"We brought in a really nice freshman class, all of them are probably going to be able to contribute and I feel really good about where we are headed as a team," Johnson added. "I feel like each year we are getting more athletic and each year the freshman are a little bit more ready to play when they get here."
Senior middle blocker Jen Malcom is prepared to take on more of a leadership role, along with fellow seniors Mary Bisenius and Amy Vos.
"It started this spring and we really began to assume the leadership role at that time," Malcom said. "Everyone on the team needs to step up, including myself, but it comes down to everyone taking on a bigger role if we want to continue to build on what we have started."
Both teams will debut with exhibitions this weekend with the soccer team playing an alumni game on Friday at 7 p.m. at the ISU Soccer Complex. The volleyball team will have an intrasquad match on Saturday at Hilton Coliseum at 1 p.m. Admission to both events is free and open to the public.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ VolleyballOH
/ Volleyball
MF
/ SoccerMF
/ Soccer
OH/RS
/ Volleyball
RS
/ Volleyball
GK
/ SoccerGK
/ Soccer
MB
/ VolleyballMB
/ Volleyball
S
/ VolleyballS
/ Volleyball
MF
/ SoccerMF
/ Soccer
DS/L
/ VolleyballDS/L
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