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September 21, 2018 · Volume 66 · Issue 2
Volleyball sets up for DI success Lancers look to build on DII run with fresh roster, skills BY ERIN LEWIS
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR After a dominant 2017 season with an overall record of 291, the California Baptist University women’s volleyball team is off to a strong start for the 2018 season. Although many players who contributed to the team’s success last season graduated. Head Coach Branden Higa said he has high hopes and is optimistic when it comes to the adjustments set forth for the fresh, new team. “I have to admit it was different because so many people graduated that had been with the team for such a long time and made a big impact on the program,” Higa said. “But we have a great group of returners who are ready to step into new roles and a great recruiting class who are ready to carry this mantle for years to come.” Returner Sydney Marks, sophomore business administration major and middle blocker, said she is ready to step up and take the team to the next level and show the competition that they can still be successful in DI. “I am trying to do what I can to make people feel comfortable on the court,” Marks said. “I really think we are going to surprise everyone with our ‘go-getter’ mentality this season.” According to Higa, the team has adopted the phrase “more than” as its mindset going into the season. “We are constantly looking for ways we can be ‘more than’ what we were before — to build, to improve and to impact,” Higa said. “We get a chance every day
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Summer Avery, graduate kinesiology student, serves the ball in a four-game match against the University of Texas-El Paso Miners. The Lancers took the win Saturday, Sept. 15, with a final score of 3-1. to do life better.” To build upon the team’s philosophy newcomer Hana Okuhara, freshman health science major and setter, said she does her best to compete hard and improve in practices every day.
“In order to support and contribute, I want to help the team play at the highest level possible,” Okuhara said. “The mindset is to play to the best of our abilities every match.” With new freshmen, transfers and a graduate student add-
ed into the mix, their chemistry has exceeded the team’s expectations. “The chemistry has been phenomenal,” Higa said. “The women on this team do a great job of caring for and supporting each other both on and off
the court. It is really a special thing.” The willingness to embrace the newcomers and the roles put upon the returners is a true testament to this year’s squad and their ability to adjust. After picking up a win over
the University of Texas-El Paso, he Lancers will be back in Van Dyne Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. as they take on the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros in their second Western Athletic Conference matchup of the season.
Athletic training flexes muscles for new year BY ADIT WRATSANGKA ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Coming into Division I, California Baptist Univerity’s athletic strength and conditioning program is determined to continue its practices, despite the opponent change. “We’re sport’s service and our job is to train our athletes the best way we possibly can regardless of being a Division I or Division II school,” said Jason Quan, director of Athletic Strength and Conditioning. Attention and motivation is heightened as CBU’s athletes
prepare for DI competition. “It’s just more attention. We have to be more detailed, a little bit more dialed in, and try to get our athletes a little more explosive and more athletic,” said Michael Robinson, assistant athletic strength and conditioning coach. The men’s soccer team captains were required to go through the training program early before the season started. “(Quan) knows us a little bit more so he’s careful around us and knows what we have to work on,” said Preston Judd,
sophomore kinesiology major season starts,” Quan said. Quan and Robinson said and forward on the men’s soccer they hope their team. “He is also Our job is to train strength and conreally tough so it’s good for us.” our athletes the ditioning program also help athQuan and Robbest way we can, will letes outside of inson designed regardless of being their sports in daily the program to get the most out a Division I or life and activities. much more of the athletes, Division II school. than“It’sjust what’s both in-season Jason Quan, done at the athletic and off-season. “Our off-seadirector of athletic performance censon training is training ter,” Robinson said. “We’re trying to designed to get them as in shape, strong and build better-moving individuals athletic as possible before the as a whole. We try to help them
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be able to take what they learn in here — the aspect of teamwork and hard work. It’s trying to build those core values. Also to move better and to master these movements.” Quan said he believes being strong in every form of a workout is good, but there are more important things that should be considered, as well. “Risk and reward ratio,” Quan said. “Am I going to get more out of it by taking that risk? Or can I choose another exercise that could be safer?” Quan and Robinson differ-
entiate the programs of each athletic team based on the demands of each sport and what each differing position requires. “For swim, I’m doing something different. I’m grouping them into groups,” Robinson said. “For example, for distance fly we focus more on upper-body attention.” Athletes are now training with the strength and conditioning program at the temporary Athletic Performance Center, located on the Health Science Campus.
CBU runners start out strong Cross Country chases success in an era under Coach Tribble BY ERIN LEWIS
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
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Allen Fletcher, sophomore film studies major, recovers after running hard in the University of California-Riverside Invitational.
The California Baptist University cross country team started the 2018 season with a dominant debut as a Division I program, after making a name for itself competing at the NCAA Division II level last season. Both men’s and women’s cross country teams started strong with the women coming in 2nd place and the men finishing 5th at the UC Riverside Invitational. This time, with the
help and guidance from another new addition to the team. Adam Tribble, former assistant coach at The University of Alabama and new cross country head coach, said he is more than ready to take the next step and transition as the head coach for the Lancers. “Every place and every situation is different when coaching,” Tribble said. “It’s more personal (at CBU) and there is a more intimate environment. I am very blessed and happy to be at CBU.” Nathaniel Wong, sophomore mechanical engineering major, said he feels confident going into the season with the addition of Coach Tribble. “Going into the season, I feel pretty good and am responding well to the new coach,” Wong
said. “I am super-excited to see how well we can do against the new competition and everyone seems to be injury-free.” Emeline Delanis, senior business administration major, said she has high hopes for the team and believes they are going to be strong competitors in the upcoming races. “I know we have the potential to do great things and I have no doubt we can win conference this year,” Delanis said. “There are a lot of new freshmen and I feel like the team is getting stronger and stronger.” As for the mindset going further as a team, Wong said he believes that if one works hard for the results and gives 100 percent to the sport, the team will become successful. “While training, it never gets
easier, you just get faster,” Wong said. “The title of DI seems scary but come race day we have to race the new teams, so you train and rise up to the occasion. If you want to be good you have to train hard at any level.” Knowing the team cannot participate in nationals and regionals because of the switch to DI, Delanis has all the confidence in her teammates to achieve success going further. “As a team we are still looking for the win in the Western Athletic Conference,” Delanis said. “Running with DI schools allows us to run with the best runners.” The team’s next race will be Sept. 29 in Minneapolis, Minn., where it will face off against the University of Minnesota in the Roy Griak Invitational.
