Up until a couple of years ago,
Jim Giacomazzi had never experienced a losing season as Wayland Baptist's head volleyball coach. Giacomazzi's teams produced 11 straight seasons of above-.500 volleyball.
Then the Pioneers went 11-18 in 2018. They improved last year to 14-19, but it was still below Giacomazzi's high standards.
With a wealth of returning experience plus a healthy influx of talented transfers and incoming freshmen, this season should be the one Wayland returns to its winning ways.
Even with a number of unforeseen circumstances thrown in the mix, including COVID-19 and all of its ramifications surrounding the schedule and out-of-country player quarantines, Giacomazzi is optimistic.
"It's going as well as can be expected," he said of preseason workouts in preparation for Saturday's season-opener set for 2 p.m. against Arizona Christian.
Tickets to the game – the first of six scheduled for this fall before the bulk of the season is played in the spring – are $5 for adults and $3 for students, with WBU students and employees admitted from with proper ID. All fans inside Hutcherson Center are required to properly wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
While three-time All-Sooner Athletic Conference libero
Jordan Breding graduated, three other all-conference players are among the five returners. The veterans include a trio of seniors in
Amber Daniel,
Kellie Kozak and
Lucie Mahelova.
I'm excited for all three of those ladies," Giacomazzi said.
Daniel a 5-foot-9 left-side hitter from Lubbock, has a chance to become a four-time all-conference pick, hoping to upgrade this season after three straight honorable mentions. The 2017 SAC Freshman of the Year, Daniel averaged 3.32 kills per game last year and, in 19 matches, totaled 219 kills. She was second on the team with 257 digs plus recorded 18 blocks (9 solo, 9 assists) and 17 aces.
"Amber is in the best shape she's ever been in and his hitting the ball really well," Giacomazzi said. "She's jumping better and hitting harder and being more productive with each movement. She's very efficient with her contact."
Kozak, a 6-foot middle hitter from Canada, was Wayland's lone first-team all-conference pick last season after making second team as a sophomore. In 2019 she led the team in blocks with 95 (21 solo, 74 assists), hitting percentage (.265) and points with 399. She was second in kills with 315 and aces with 26.
"Kellie is always getting better, and still has room for growth. Hopefully she improves on her hitting percentage this year. If she does that she can be one of the top players in the conference in the middle," Giacomazzi said.
The 5-10 Mahelova figures to play a big part in Wayland's plans, playing both setter and right-side hitter. "I don't normally embrace a 6-2 offense, but because of Lucie's talent, experience and wisdom, I want to keep her on the court at all times. She sees the court like no one else on the team," Giacomazzi said.
Joining Daniel and Kozak as returning all-conference picks is honorable mention pick
Tatijana Markic. The 6-1 junior left-side hitter from Calgary led the Pioneers in 2019 with 333 kills in 28 matches with a 3.51 kills per set average. Markic also recorded 20 aces, 136 digs and 32 blocks (6 solo, 26 assists).
"Tatijana gained a lot of experience last year," Giacomazzi said. "We expect her to be a contributing force in our offense."
Another junior returner is 5-foot-2 defensive specialist
Tevia Bell, whom the coach said is "a key part of our defense. She has the most experience on serve-receive and goes all-out for every ball."
Of the 13 players on the roster, 10 are juniors or seniors.
"I'm heavy on upperclassmen," Giacomazzi said.
He's also heavy on setters. "I've never had five setters before."
However, one of Wayland's most experienced setters,
Cauane Krainski, a transfer from Trinity Valley Community College, won't be available until at least the spring due to COVID-19 travel restrictions from her native Brazil.
"I have high hopes she will be here for spring," Giacomazzi said.
Another player expected in the spring is
Brenna Daniel, a freshman on last year's squad. Amber's sister is attending Texas Tech this semester. "Brenna has a lot of game experience and will be a boost for our defense," Giacomazzi said.
A sister to a former Pioneer (T-Keeyah Hall, 2013-14) is
Shykerra Fanner, a 5-4 outside hitter from Vernon College who "has a strong work ethic and is very pleasant to be around."
Redshirt-freshman
Alexa Hinojos, a 5-9 middle from Plainview, rejoins the active roster after sitting out last season when she underwent leg surgery. "Alexa will contribute a lot to our middle on offense and defense," Giacomazzi said "She's a natural athlete who just needs college experience. I expect a lot of success from her in the next couple of years."
One of the players the coach is "most proud of" is
Paxton Patterson, a 5-11 lefty from Randall High School by way of Frank Phillips College, which also produced junior defensive specialist
Jayda Nelson, who played on Giacomazzi's club team as a 14-year-old. Nelson is rehabbing following shoulder surgery.
Another JC transfer is defensive specialist
Andrea Rodriguez. "A lot of our JC transfers came this past January and we were able to work with them for a couple of months," Giacomazzi said. "It gave them a lot of time to learn the system."
Two true freshmen on the roster are 5-7 middle blocker
Jayla Schultz of Weatherford and 5-4 setter
Mia Stevens of Plainview Christian. "Jayla is an outstanding athlete who has a huge jump and is very quick. She'll also run track." Giacomazzi called Stevens "a diamond in the rough who has shown a lot of improvement. She's very athletic and will be one of our starting setters this first match."
Giacomazzi said a silver lining to the bulk of the season being moved to the spring is it gives extra time for his players to learn the Pioneer system and each other.
"I see a lot of improvement in practice, and I expect us to get better as this fall goes on," Giacomazzi said "We'll figure out our starting lineup (for the spring) based on what we see them doing this fall."
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