Packing a powerful “kill”, this season’s volleyball team means business. With this year also comes a new head coach, Mark Pryor.
Though the team has made significant progress in the past two years with Coach Gwen Weatherford, they have room for improvement and will continue to work towards their full potential under Pryor’s instruction.
This new head coach has come to Texas A&M University-Commerce from Boise State, where he had a part in leading their volleyball team to a fourth place finish in the western athletic conference (WAC) from their last place ranking in the conference just two years prior.
Joining the team this year are sophomores Rachel Shelton and Morgan Ballard from Royse City and Sherman respectively. Pryor’s has also recruited junior Keshia Raivon, for A&M-Commerce, hailing from North Carolina State University.
In a similar fashion to his achievements at Boise State, Pryor helped to improve the records at both Southwest Baptist and Louisiana Monroe. During his stint as head coach, Southwest Baptist experienced a gain of ten wins from the previous year.
A&M-Commerce’s athletic director, Carlton Cooper, is excited to have Pryor on the staff.
“He brings a wealth of volleyball knowledge to our program and his relationships in the volleyball community will keep us focused on the vision of becoming a national leader in college athletics,” Cooper said.
His experience in all aspects of the athletic program, from managing the budget to coaching, could be a valuable asset to the Lions this year.
To jump-start the Lions’ season, Pryor intends to apply the same methods that have been successful for him in the past, to the Lions’ volleyball team, hopefully helping them to become contenders on the national collegiate level.
“My way may not be the easiest, but it works,” Pryor said.
With a potential rebuilding year on their hands, the team is depending on Pryor for inspiration to take their game to the next level.
“The big thing for us is having the kids figure out how I want things run,” Pryor said.
The girls know the game, but Pryor believes that working on fine-tuning and basic fundamentals will pay off in competition.
“The girls need to take the skills they work on in the practice gym on to the competition floor,” Pryor said.
Lauren Flynn, a junior holding the school record of digs, knows their success this year depends on a lot of work, with little room for injuries. With a minimal roster, each girl’s role.
“This program has a lot of potential, and with Coach Pryor’s enthusiasm, I think with time this volleyball program could become very successful,” Flynn said.
The volleyball team will make its first appearance of the season in a tournament against Paul Quinn at 2 p.m. and Southern Arkansas at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29 in the A&M-Commerce Field House.