The volleyball team has a 18-6 record so far this season, as of Oct. 28.
The team has two more games before the start of the Sooner Athletic Conference on Nov. 7.
“This season has been very different. We have a new coach this season, so we’re all adjusting to the new system and style of Jason Muñoz,” Senior Middle Blocker Holly Randall said.
Coach Muñoz took over as head coach in January. He said he transitioned well into the team.
“I have a good bunch,” he said. “The team has really stepped up to lead along the way. I was fortunate enough to have a great returning class of seniors, so I lean on them a lot.”
Sophomore Setter Michelle Krenowicz said the team was able to practice with Muñoz before the season started.
“We were able to work with him during the off season and get a feel of what the season was going to be like,” Krenowicz said.
Muñoz said he wants the seniors to be able to go out as conference champions. The conference tournament will take place during the second week of November.
“We’re all excited because OCU is hosting the tournament for the first time, so our conference tournament will be in our home gym,” Randall said. “Our long-term goal is to get back to the national tournament in December. To do that, we’ll have to win our conference and a national opening round game.”
Randall has been on the team since her freshman year and said her experience has been positive.
“I’m so thankful for my experience as an athlete at OCU. It has taught me so much,” she said.
Krenowicz, who has played volleyball since fourth grade, said she has enjoyed being a part of the team as well.
“My experience with the OCU volleyball team has been so fun. My teammates are from different areas, and it’s awesome to experience that,” she said. “Since this school is small, people come to the matches and know who you are, and it’s fun to talk about the games with other students.”
Krenowicz said team chemistry has improved this season because they did more team bonding.
Muñoz said he emphasized the team working as a family to keep morale high and teamwork strong.
“As things get tough, there’s always going to be hard, challenging times when some other team is playing great and we’re just off a little bit, and I think in those times, as you have those close relationships with your teammates, it makes it easier to work through those rough spots and still come out with a win,” he said.
Muñoz said he is lucky to have such a dedicated team.
“They work hard. That’s the key to a lot of things,” he said. “You have to come in and work for it, and everybody comes out and wants to give us their best shot. We really do a good job of being prepared for that and working through everything together as a team.”
Leave a Reply