As a new season begins, the Grand Valley State University women’s volleyball team is looking to adapt to off-season changes and come back even stronger to improve on their previous successful season.

Leading the Lakers into 2024 is Head Coach Jason Johnson, who bolsters a 62-28 record. Although Johnson is entering only his fourth year as head coach, this will mark his twenty-sixth season with the program.

During their 2023 campaign, the team achieved the most wins in a single season in nine years, going 27-5. In addition to this record, the team was able to win a shared Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) championship– their first conference title since 2013. The Lakers’ season ultimately fell short in the NCAA Regional Tournament to the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

One of the biggest changes since last season is the roster. As players graduate, the introduction of freshmen onto the team is vital for replacing talent that is lost. With the switch to college athletics not being an easy task, the more experienced players have to find ways to incorporate incoming freshmen into the team. 

“The incoming freshmen have a great variety of personalities that will add valuable voices and roles to the team, as well as their talent on the court,” said junior setter Meghan O’Sullivan. “The past few years, with each new class of freshmen coming in, the competition has continued to grow, just like it will with them this year.”

Junior outside hitter Kendall Stover elaborated on how the freshmen’s personalities add to the overall team dynamic.

“They vary from direct and driven, to calm and steady, which is what makes them a strong group,” Stover said. “They all will bring something different to our team which is a huge positive.”

While the addition of freshmen is crucial to the team, what they can learn from the returning players is just as important. Returning players play a direct role in the freshmen’s transition and development in collegiate volleyball.

“We have always made sure to support one another and always be open to each other with anything we need,” O’Sullivan said. “On the court we set a standard and everyone has their own way of showing others how we reach it, whether they are demonstrating by example or directing them with what to do.”

Stover emphasized that one of the team’s core values is family.

“Us returners try to make every single freshman and person feel like family as soon as they step on campus and are a part of our team,” Stover said.

The Lakers will travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, for their season opener against the University of Indianapolis on Friday, Sept. 6. Their home opener will commence on Thursday, Sept. 12 against Northwood University.