FORT COLLINS — The first few weeks of camp are about discovery.
With two junior college transfers and three true freshmen joining the Colorado State volleyball program, Tom Hilbert made it clear the early going was going to be about learning for he and his staff.
What players can do, where their true talent lies and how those may translate into openings the No. 18 Rams have entering the regular season.
“We’ve seen some things that we like,” Hilbert said. “There a couple of open positions and they’re still wide open because people are having good days one day then not so good the next. The whole key is going to be teaching them error management and being consistent.”
He’s been impressed with how the newcomers have jumped in and gained traction in learning the system, despite being moved around the court and tested at different spots. He noted Sanja Cizmic on the right side, as well as redshirt freshman Jaliyah Bolden in the middle.
The veteran players have also been encouraged by what they’ve seen, especially knowing some of them are going to have to play right away.
“We have some new girls who came in and they’ve made an impression on me,” senior setter Deedra Foss said. “They don’t quite know the system yet, so they’re still learning it, but they’re really good. They’re fitting in and they’re willing to learn, so they’re doing great.
“Everyone is really good, so there’s no one set spot. It’s still all up in the air.”
Where Hilbert said he’s really seen improvement is on defense in the backrow, saying returners Jaime Colaizzi, Cassidy Denny and Kaitlind Bestgen all are improved from a season ago. In addition, transfer Grace Gordon from Colorado-Colorado Springs has looked good in that role.
Then again, Hilbert didn’t expect there to be, at least not this year. By the end of next week, he figures some answers will start to become more clear as the Rams search to solidify roles for the outside hitters and even in the middle.
“Our freshmen are learning,” Hilbert said. “We’re trying to give them little things right now to help them get a little more effective. We’re not going to make any major technical overhauls until the spring, but they look good.”
Precautions — Foss was the Mountain West setter of the year in 2013, so the Rams will expect a lot of her again. With some back issues, the goal of camp is to keep her fresh and not overwork her, which the team is doing so far.
“A lot of it is me, a lot of it is Tom and out trainer Brittany (Koehler), so we’re all working together to decide what’s best and what’s going to keep me healthy,” Foss said.
Hilbert brought in Crystal Young as transfer from Blinn Junior College, where she helped guide her team to a national title. So far in camp, she’s been as advertised.
“Crystal looked good setting the ball and running court, and I was impressed with that,” Hilbert said. “Deej is the starter, but she’s good to have as an insurance policy.”
Feeling good — With the team staying on campus for most of the summer, the coaches have seen a difference in conditioning, saying the players look in better shape and standing up better to the demands of camp.
Hilbert said they’re still taking it easy on a couple of shoulders, but the players feel the off-season work has made a difference.
To a point.
“That definitely helped a lot. We worked out four days a week, then having the new girls come in during the summer really helped them,” Foss said. “They were in better shape, too. That was a good thing I think we should definitely keep doing.
“No matter what, you’re always going to be sore after those first couple of practices.”
Contact Sports Editor Mike Brohard at 970-635-3633 or mbrohard@reporter-herald.com and at twitter.com/mbrohard
