Posted: Aug 25, 2023
By Francisco Claudio
After last season was abruptly ended, the Westcliff women's volleyball team is now prepared to embark on a new chapter.
With the majority of returners and new head coach Andrew Cole, the team's core is poised to compete.
More than 80% of the roster is returners which means that there will be a strong foundation of student-athletes with the addition of the newcomers.
"As we continue to communicate I think they will find that they will get along well on the court," Cole said. "The dynamic should be cohesive and have a lot of attributes of a team."
The Warriors had a breakout 2022 season as they catapulted into the top of the Cal Pac Conference standings.
Westcliff finished in second place with a conference record of 17-3 and an overall record of 21-8.
The team battled their way into the final of the Cal Pac Conference Tournament where they fell to Park-Gilbert in five sets.
The revamped Warrior team will be driven throughout the season by the experience of making a deep run and the motivation of almost winning the title.
"The expectation is to compete," Cole said. "A conference championship is the goal. The student-athletes are smart players and find ways to score points and win.
"With 900 square feet and six people covering that court, we should have plenty of opportunities to add one to the scoreboard all the way up to 25."
One of the returners who is entering her fourth year at Westcliff is outside hitter, Brooke Scheidle.
Scheidle is a player to watch since she has improved every year since her start and played in all but one game last season.
Scheidle has also had some impressive games as a Warrior and holds the single-game record for blocks at 10.
She is the Warriors all-time leader in total blocks with 114 and is fourth in kills with 190.
Michelle Do also makes her return and will play her third year as a Warrior.
Do is the Warriors' all-time leader in assists with 975 and counting, and no one is coming close to her record.
Westcliff will also rely on veterans like Serena Comer and Faith Webb who have been vital to the success of the program up to this point.
"Comer and Webb have emphasized their interest in making this a great season individually," Cole said. "Even with those aspirations, the team really wants the most impact to be the success that can happen as a team."
The team will not be shy of leaders who will be ready to step up to the plate and make a positive impact.
"It is actually more on the side of being a good problem to have because they all really seem to play well together," Cole said. "As newcomers assert their presence with the team, we will certainly have more clarity on leadership."
Westcliff's season opener will be at home against Santa Barbara City College on Wednesday, August 30th, at 7 PM.
They will travel to Vanguard University the next day for a match-up with a start time of 7:15 PM.
The Warriors will face lots of talent, height, and rivalries for which coach Cole had a simple reply: "Keep your eyes on the netplay"
As the Warriors start their new season coach Cole wants there to be involvement both off and on the court.
"Continuity and involvement in the community," Cole said. "I think each team will be different but living out the 5Cs will be important for this volleyball team."
