Taylor Froese sees plenty of potential in the Inman Teutons as the volleyball season progresses, and she believes the team’s chemistry could be one of its biggest strengths.
Froese said the close relationship among the players has created an environment where teammates feel comfortable communicating and helping one another. At the same time, younger players are stepping into important roles while others are adjusting to unfamiliar positions.
“I am very excited to see how this team progresses as the season goes on,” Froese said. “All of the girls are very close, and we all feel comfortable talking to each other or asking for help when it’s needed.”
The Teutons also have players embracing new challenges, including freshmen stepping into roles that needed to be filled and players finding confidence at positions they have not played before.
Froese spent most of her summer focused on softball but made time for volleyball-specific work to prepare for the season. She participated in small-group training sessions to sharpen her skills and get back into volleyball form.
“During the summer, I was mainly focused on softball, but I did some small group training in order to get my skills back to where they needed to be for the start of the season,” Froese said.
One of Froese’s biggest goals this season is to become a stronger defensive player. She wants to improve her quickness and ability to make plays on difficult balls, including those that require her to leave her feet.
Offensively, Froese is looking to become more unpredictable. She enjoys finding ways to challenge opposing defenses and has been working on new shots that can keep opponents guessing.
“Hitting wise, I love messing with the other team’s defense, so I want to learn some new ways to do so, in order to stay unpredictable,” Froese said.
Some of those new shots have already started paying dividends during matches. Froese also has incorporated quick-twitch workouts into her training to improve her defensive reactions and movement.
While individual improvement is important, Froese’s biggest focus is on discovering just how much the Teutons can accomplish together.
“This team has so much potential,” Froese said. “My main goal for this team is for us to find out how good we can be.”
Froese also wants to see the entire team grow, both individually and collectively. As a leader, she hopes to provide more than just production on the court.
Her goal is to be someone her teammates can rely on when the pressure of a match becomes overwhelming.
“My goals for myself are to be the best leader and role model that I can be for these girls,” Froese said. “This game is very mental, so having that one person on the court that you know can help you get out of your head is a huge deal; I strive to be that one person for my teammates.”
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