Volleyballers golden in tournament play
Men's volleyball head coach Josh Westgate sat down with Interrobang recently to discuss the teams success at the Seneca tournament and how the team is progressing.
Q. How was the team in the Seneca tournament compared to the Humber tournament and the Fanshawe tournament?
A. This year we have been a very successful tournament team. Perhaps the exhibition title in them allows us to put less pressure on ourselves and we are able to just go out and play. With two tournament wins and a silver medal this year has been our most successful tournament results. We are still fighting consistency issues, but we played very well and we were able to come away with some close sets, which we were unable to do during first semester in league play.
Q. Obviously you are happy they won, but were you happy with the overall performance?
A. Winning is winning, but there were a few things that happened that we can still work on, which is what you want from these tournaments. Our consistency is an issue and our ability to do the simple things well will be a direct reflection on how successful we'll be this semester.
Q. Have you seen a change since they got back from the break?
A. We picked up an experienced player from U.W.O. this semester, so he's fitting in nicely with the guys and will make us a much deeper team. We will be able to use some substitutions this semester for a strategic advantage over some teams
Q. Where is the team struggling and succeeding in now?
A. Struggling with consistency — we can be very, very good, but there are times when a totally different team shows up and our execution is mediocre. Our serving was fantastic at the tournament along with our defence.
Q. What do you credit to the success at the Seneca tournament?
A. Attitude. The majority of the time it wasn't about individuals, it was about the team.
Q. What player or players were you most happy with?
A. Jordan McTavish and Demetri Kantzos were recognized as tournament all-stars and Matt Westman was tournament M.V.P.
Q. You guys beat Redeemer, a team which you hadn't been able to beat yet. How did you do it this time?
A. We won the close sets. This year in league play we lost in five sets at Redeemer and lost at home, and two of those sets reached 30 points and we lost by two in each of them.
Q. Where do you see the team placing if you continue playing like this?
A. Well our ranking moved up significantly, we are currently fourth now which is unheard of from a team that is 4-5. We just need to take one game at a time and gel at the right time and we will be a very scary team to play.
Q. In a few weeks you play Mohawk, how do you intend to get the team ready for that game?
A. Basically every game right now is a playoff game. I haven't even thought about Mohawk and if we look ahead to any game it will be very detrimental to our success.
Q. Have you changed practices so that the boys get ready for playoffs, or is it business as usual?
A. I've put the responsibility on them to do weights and cardio in their free time and we have to just focus on our skill development and strategy during practice times.
Q. How is team chemistry now as opposed to before the break, or even the beginning of the season?
A. Everyone gets along and everyone are friends, it's my responsibility to keep everyone happy with playing time and practices.
Q. Is the team story still “need to finish games”?
A. Consistency and finishing!
Q. How was the team in the Seneca tournament compared to the Humber tournament and the Fanshawe tournament?
A. This year we have been a very successful tournament team. Perhaps the exhibition title in them allows us to put less pressure on ourselves and we are able to just go out and play. With two tournament wins and a silver medal this year has been our most successful tournament results. We are still fighting consistency issues, but we played very well and we were able to come away with some close sets, which we were unable to do during first semester in league play.
Q. Obviously you are happy they won, but were you happy with the overall performance?
A. Winning is winning, but there were a few things that happened that we can still work on, which is what you want from these tournaments. Our consistency is an issue and our ability to do the simple things well will be a direct reflection on how successful we'll be this semester.
Q. Have you seen a change since they got back from the break?
A. We picked up an experienced player from U.W.O. this semester, so he's fitting in nicely with the guys and will make us a much deeper team. We will be able to use some substitutions this semester for a strategic advantage over some teams
Q. Where is the team struggling and succeeding in now?
A. Struggling with consistency — we can be very, very good, but there are times when a totally different team shows up and our execution is mediocre. Our serving was fantastic at the tournament along with our defence.
Q. What do you credit to the success at the Seneca tournament?
A. Attitude. The majority of the time it wasn't about individuals, it was about the team.
Q. What player or players were you most happy with?
A. Jordan McTavish and Demetri Kantzos were recognized as tournament all-stars and Matt Westman was tournament M.V.P.
Q. You guys beat Redeemer, a team which you hadn't been able to beat yet. How did you do it this time?
A. We won the close sets. This year in league play we lost in five sets at Redeemer and lost at home, and two of those sets reached 30 points and we lost by two in each of them.
Q. Where do you see the team placing if you continue playing like this?
A. Well our ranking moved up significantly, we are currently fourth now which is unheard of from a team that is 4-5. We just need to take one game at a time and gel at the right time and we will be a very scary team to play.
Q. In a few weeks you play Mohawk, how do you intend to get the team ready for that game?
A. Basically every game right now is a playoff game. I haven't even thought about Mohawk and if we look ahead to any game it will be very detrimental to our success.
Q. Have you changed practices so that the boys get ready for playoffs, or is it business as usual?
A. I've put the responsibility on them to do weights and cardio in their free time and we have to just focus on our skill development and strategy during practice times.
Q. How is team chemistry now as opposed to before the break, or even the beginning of the season?
A. Everyone gets along and everyone are friends, it's my responsibility to keep everyone happy with playing time and practices.
Q. Is the team story still “need to finish games”?
A. Consistency and finishing!
