The Collegian

Issue date: 12/3/04 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Freshman Breanne Zellmer digs a serve to start play for point two day prior to her final tournament of the 2004 Delta season. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Freshman Ashley Hullen dives for a low ball to tip it up to her teammates during practice. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Sophomore Jennifer Emerson jumps up to block while practicing for the state championships this weekend. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Hoag (right) and Karen Kroplin (left) extend high to keep the ball from falling on their side of the court. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Karyn Gilbert Sophomore Katie Hoag gets on the ball before it hits the floor, giving her team a point. [Click to enlarge]

After slashing and spiking their way through the Northern California regionals with impressive ease, the Delta women's volleyball team has their eyes trained squarely on a California Community College State Championship.

A state championship is the goal for every community college, which cuts across all sports and competitions. In the case of the No. 1-seeded of the north Lady Mustangs, the bitter taste of last year's disappointment, combined with a metaphorical unappealing cuisine choice, has provided fuel for this season's playoff drive. The

2004 season is one of unfinished business.

"Ever since December 7 of 2003, when we were sitting in that boring hotel room eating cold pizza after our state tournament loss, we have been focused on completing our goal as state champions," said sophomore Sarah Buhr impassionedly. "When we took the court in August, we knew we were here to win a state championship. So far we have accomplished everything we set out to do; there is no reason we can't win it all." Sophomore Cindy Stayton added, "The freshmen didn't quite grasp our disappointment, but as the season went on, it started to hit home."

As a school and as players, the Mustangs will be traveling on familiar ground in both a literal and figurative sense. This will be the eighth straight

year the Mustangs have secured a state tournament bid. Only this year the Mustangs can leave their suitcases undisturbed, as the tournament will be held in Stockton, with Delta serving as the host school.

Playing on one's own floor has its drawbacks, given the internalized pressure, coupled with natural distractions from home, but Mustang players see positives where others might see pitfalls.

"We look at it as a home court advantage; this is our place with our friends and family," said Stayton.

Since the Northern California tournament provided little in the way of competition, the biggest potential opponents for Delta could be complacency and

overconfidence. Assistant turned first-year head coach Brad Friesen, who has guided the team to a remarkable 29-1 record, sees practice as a way to compensate for the lack of tournament competitiveness so far.

"Our practices have been strong, intense, and pressure filled. I feel our practices have prepared us for the tough games ahead," said Friesen.

To combat the idea of overconfidence, the Mustangs haven't been shy in acknowledging flaws and areas that can be improved upon.

"We can block better, especially considering our height. We also need to work on our passing," said Friesen. Stayton added, "We need to communicate more during the game, also our ball control is lacking."

But with all great teams, which the well-coached Mustangs certainly are, comes not an "aw shucks we-are-lucky to-be-here" sentiment, but healthy confidence.

"There is a reason why we have played so well up to this point. We know what we have to do, and we will be ready. The talent is here," said Friesen.

The Mustangs' wide-eyed enthusiasm, mixed with steely determination, has them poised to fulfill the goal that was birthed in that depression-soaked hotel room last year. Odds are this year's ending wont have the Mustangs snacking on cold pizza.

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