With Hofstra volleyball launching headfirst into the season on Friday, Aug. 26, redshirt senior Zyare Abdul-Rahim is nothing short of optimistic.
Since making it to the semifinal round of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) playoffs, players and coaches adopted a new approach in analyzing where players need to be proactive on the court.
“Honestly, I felt like we had the pieces, but because we were such a young team, it was hard for us to connect towards the end, and that’s something [that was] lacking last season and we still went pretty far,” Abdul-Rahim said. “I feel like we can connect better since we’ve all been playing together for a while [so] we know each other’s tendencies. So that’s why I’m looking forward to the season because I feel like we have [all the] pieces.”
Realistically, while hoping for the best, everyone is keenly aware that there is no shortage of potential stumbling blocks and challenges in the coming season – most notably the drastic roster turnover from last season as the Pride had three players graduate and five others who transferred after the 2021-2022 season.
This begs the question: how does Hofstra head coach Emily Mansur feel about the status and strength of her team after letting go of some key players?
“[Alumni like] Ana [Martinovic], Maddie [Appleton] and Sheryl [Mathew], we’ll be missing them drastically, there is no questioning that,” Mansur said. “So I think the reason that we are going to go through this [additional] learning process and maturity is because [players like them are] not here.”
“Our leaders will be two seniors, who are actually ‘volleyball sophomores’ because they redshirted and then COVID happened,” Mansur said. “Then we have two sophomores and then everybody else is a freshman.”
The freshness of the team presents its own difficulties from the players’ perspective as well.
“This is my first time being the person that’s supposed to help lead the team and help the captains. I didn’t think it was going to be this hard,” Abdul-Rahim said. “I always had somebody to go to, but now I’m the person that people are going to. I think I’m doing a good job, I hope I am.”
This team showed that they didn’t adopt a strictly “glass-half-empty” view.
“There’s a renewed energy coming through,” said assistant coach Steve Klosterman. “The young energy [from] the freshmen that are hungry to come in, it’s like a whole new kind of atmosphere of just excitement and appreciation to be here. It’s pretty infectious.”
“I think their high ceiling for improvement, and the willingness to work hard, it’s [incredibly] promising,” Mansur said. “That’s what Hofstra volleyball is this year: young, lots to learn, but with a wonderful potential.”
Newly faced challenges aside, one thing that everyone agrees on is that goals are fundamental to the success and progress of the team. Coming into fall camp, Mansur explained that she was transparent with the team to keep everyone on the same page in terms of goals for the season.
“We come up with our goals together,” Mansur said. “My goals will not happen if [the team is] not on board, so the goals are created by the team. I truly believe that this group has the same goals as the coaching staff, and that is very exciting.”
To chase goals in pursuit of the physical side of volleyball, each day consists of the following: three lifting sessions, strength training, mobility training and a full game to top it off. In addition to this, Zyare sheds light on the supplemental work to reach their goals: mental groundwork.
“[Our coaches] emphasize it’s okay to make errors because as an athlete [it feels] super mentally frustrating,” Abdul-Rahim said. “The coaches emphasize ‘Be comfortable with making changes, be okay with not being okay.’”
“I do think that our fears and our feelings play a big role in being successful,” Mansur said. “We’ve been working a lot on trying to visualize [movements] and to lose fear and be able to control our emotions.”
So far, this kind of added mental preparation has translated to success on the court at lightning speed.
“Coach Steve will take the time and give [the team] a chance to visualize themselves getting on the court before they actually do, [helping them feel] that they have control of what happens,” Mansur explained. “This is something that’s a big change for us, really focusing on the mental side and taking it into our hands a little more.”
“Every day we take a couple of minutes and really get down into the details of the mind,” Klosterman said. “I noticed their new levels of calmness and confidence. Their focus is a little sharper, and I think you can see them have more confidence in their routines.”
The Pride will open their season hosting the Hofstra Invitational and take on the No. 14 University of Miami, Bryant University and Niagara University. Whether it’s their season opener or conference playoffs, the volleyball team is mentally prepared to bring their A-game 100% of the time, no matter who their opponent is.
“[No matter who’s] across the net, I’m just worried about playing my best volleyball, we have a really good foundation this year, [and] I feel super positive about [the season],” Abdul-Rahim said. “I’ve been here for a very long time and like the energy that I feel with this group, it’s so good.”
The only thing left up in the air for the volleyball team is to see crowds at their games.
“If we get a good amount of support, that really does carry over into the season,” Klosterman said. “The girls really do appreciate when people come [watch their games].”
To sum up all of her feelings for the season, Zyare had this to say: “I feel really good about this season. This class is super talented; you’ll be hearing some of their names.”
Photo Courtesy of Hofstra Athletics
