PORTLAND, Ore. — Coming off of summer season coaching camp, the Portland Pilots Volleyball appears to be like to push limits and lift this system to new heights. The workforce is entering the season with self belief, poise and optimism as they appear towards their season opener.
“Training Camp has been going well for our group,” stated head trainer Megan Burton. “The returners have set a solid tone of competition in the gym and the newcomers are doing a good job at rising to that level. We’re a new squad with a lot of untapped potential and the sky is the limit for this group. The ladies put in a lot of work this summer, getting fitter in the weight room and bonding together as a unit, and it shows. We are starting at a very high level as a cohesive unit this year.”
Coach Burton stated the Pilots have taken on a “focused fun” perspective this season, which has created a free and lightweight setting for the workforce to thrive in. The new tone is permitting the workforce to play with extra fluidity and ability, as they proceed to be told every different’s play kinds.
Here’s what one of the Pilot avid gamers have to mention concerning the workforce tradition and the way they are feeling forward of the workforce’s season opener.
Middle Blocker Taina Kaauwai:
“I love the team culture and I feel like we have a strong connection with each other. The chemistry is great, and I know this will help us out on the court to get things done and have fun at the same time. With the season opener coming, I am just excited to get out there and play some high-level volleyball. I want to show up and show what we are capable of and take care of the little things.”
Outside Hitter Lia Hawken:
“This atmosphere is probably the best I’ve seen it in my time at UP. We all have a common goal in mind, and all are willing to make the sacrifices we need to get to that goal. I think this is a great group of girls and I’m just looking forward to going through this season with all of them by my side. The tournament in Texas will give us a great picture of what teams are looking like outside the WCC and give us a glimpse of what post-season may look like.”
Outside Hitter Maui Robins:
“The workforce surroundings we now have this 12 months is in reality one thing particular. We are all in reality shut off and on the court docket. Our personalities mesh so neatly in combination and our verbal exchange has been tremendous constant. The women are very mature and a laugh to be round, which additionally advantages us whilst we are enjoying. There is a real feeling that we are looking to higher ourselves and every different on the similar time via construction a believe that we did not fairly have remaining 12 months. I believe would be the sport changer for us this 12 months.
“I think our first tournament in Texas is a great opportunity for us to test our trust in game-time situations. We can observe what we need to work on, take note of it, then take it back home with us so that we can work on it in practice. We can also get a better look at our strengths on the court individually and collectively so we know what we should keep practicing going further into pre-season and conference play.”
The Pilots Volleyball program will start their 2023 Fall season this Friday, Aug. 25, on the Bearkat Invitational at Sam Houston State University. The Bearkat Invitational will see the Pilots dealing with off towards the Corpus Christi Islanders and the Nicholls State Colonels on Aug. 25, in addition to dealing with off towards the Sam Houston State Bearkats on Aug. 26.
“I’m just looking forward to watching our team compete,” stated head trainer Megan Burton. “I anticipate we’ll learn a lot from the tournament and our goal is to continue to get 1% better with every match.”
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Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders
(0-0, 0-0 SLC)
Day: FridayDate: Aug. 25, 2023
Place: Huntsville, Texas Time: 9:30 A.M. (PST) Facility: Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum
Video: N/A
Stats: portlandpilots.com POR vs. TAMU CC
Overall Series: 0-0
Last: N/A
Nicholls State Colonels
(0-0, 0-0 SLC)
Day: Friday
Date: Aug. 25, 2023
Place: Huntsville, Texas
Time: 12:00 P.M. (PST)
Facility: Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum
Video: N/A
Stats: portlandpilots.com
POR vs. NSU
Overall Series: 2-0
Last: 1992
Sam Houston State Bearkats
(0-0, 0-0 WAC)
Day: Saturday
Date: Aug. 26, 2023
Place: Huntsville, Texas
Time: 9:00 A.M. (PST)
Facility: Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum
Video: N/A
Stats: portlandpilots.com
POR vs. SHSU
Overall Series: 0-0
Last: N/A
THIS WEEK
• The Pilots hit the street for the Bearkat Invitational, their first match of the 2023 season.
• Portland is about for 3 suits in Houston, dealing with the Corpus Christi Islanders and the Nicholls State Colonels on Friday, Aug. 25 at 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively. On Saturday, Aug. 26, the Pilots will play the house workforce, the Sam Houston Bearkats at 9 a.m.
• Live stats for every of the suits will also be discovered at portlandpilots.com, and are living video for all suits may not be to be had.
ABOUT THE PILOTS
• Megan Burton enters her fourth 12 months as the top trainer of the Pilots volleyball program, with assistant coaches Dylan Hamilton and Kyle Homeyer additionally returning for the 2023 season.
• The Pilots additionally convey again 9 letter winners from the autumn 2022 season.
• The program welcomes 4 true novices to The Bluff this autumn in Havannah Hoeft, Tatum Isa, Maddie Corpe, and Taina Kaauwai
• Portland has additionally added 4 switch scholars to their roster, together with Middle Blocker Valerie Bruk out of College of San Mateo, Outside Hitter Leonie Freytag from Temple University, Setter Elena Bullemer from Hillsboro Community College and Middle Blocker Nevaeh Bray from Jackson State.
• Outside Hitter Kili Robins joins the Pilots after finishing a 12 months because the workforce’s graduate assistant in 2022.
• Portland will probably be taking a look for management from returners Lia Hawken and Maui Robins, in addition to their transfers to steer the workforce to new heights for the 2023 season. Robins earned a place at the WCC All-Freshman workforce all over the 2022 season, spearheaded via her offensive prowess, together with 241 kills and a couple of.21 kills in line with set.
• The Pilots gained each the Sacramento State Invitational and the Portland North Marriott Invitational, marking the primary time the Pilots have gained two tournaments in one season since 2018.
• Jayde Harris and Noelani Helm had been each voted All-WCC
• Jayde Harris turned into the primary Pilot to be voted WCC Offensive Player of the Week two times in one season.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS
• Texas A&M Corpus Christi completed 13-20 total all over the 2022 season. Their most sensible returning participant is Kyndall Payne who had a complete of 479 kills all over the 2022 season, incomes herself All-American honors within the procedure.
• Nicholls State concluded their 2022 season with an total file of 7-23, together with a file of 4-14 within the Southerland Conference. The Colonels go back Junior Kadie Becnel, who recorded 437 digs all over the 2022 season.
• Sam Houston State recorded a 8-20 file remaining fall, with a 5-9 file inside the Western Athletic Conference. The Bearkats are returning Sophomore, Catherine Krieger, who recorded 288 kills remaining season.
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