Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
2018 Season Outlook
August 20, 2018 12:33 PM | Volleyball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Guided by fourth-year coach Reed Sunahara, the 2018 West Virginia University volleyball program is fresh off a trip to the postseason for the first time in 26 years. With 10 letterwinners and two starters, the Mountaineer squad returns with nearly the same roster that got them there in the first place.
What You Need to Know
Natania Levak – Levak, a junior right side hitter, brings the most experience to this year's squad, as she played in 122 of 125 sets last season. She finished second on the team in total blocks with 75, averaging 0.61 blocks per set. She also ranked third on the team in kills with 270, averaging 2.21 kills per set in 2017. Levak is the top returner as the team leader in kills and blocks.
Alexa Hasting – Hasting came to Morgantown as a freshman defensive specialist last season, but slid into the libero position once senior Gianna Gotterba exited the Mountaineers' opening weekend with a knee injury. Hasting stepped up in Gotterba's absence, finishing her freshman campaign with a team-leading 325 digs, averaging 2.69 per set. She also was presented with the team's Newcomer Award at the end-of-year banquet.
Kristina Jordan – Jordan, a freshman middle blocker, arrived in Morgantown in June and looks to earn herself a spot in this year's starting lineup, as senior Mia Swanegan departed to play professionally in Finland a few weeks ago. Jordan hails from San Diego, California, and was a four-year letterwinner at Liberty Charter High, where she led her team to its first-ever CIF Division 5 Championship as a senior. She also was named the 2017 Summit League Athlete of the Year, as well as the 2017 MaxPreps Player of the Year.
Key Matches
Sept. 19 vs. Iowa State
The Mountaineers open Big 12 play when the Cyclones come to town for a 6 p.m. matchup on Wednesday, Sept. 19. West Virginia will look to defeat Iowa State for the first time in program history, as ISU is one of five teams WVU will face ranked inside the AVCA Preseason Poll this season.
Sept. 29 vs. Texas
The Mountaineers play host to the Longhorns on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m. The last time against Texas in Morgantown, West Virginia dropped a five-set heartbreaker to the No. 6-ranked team in the country. Despite claiming back-to-back sets to take a 2-1 match lead, the Mountaineers fell to the Longhorns in set scores of 25-27, 25-23, 25-21, 16-25 and 12-15. West Virginia also entered the Big 12 contest with a 10-match win streak, the team's longest win streak since 2014.
Oct. 3 at Kansas
West Virginia heads to Lawrence, Kansas, on Oct. 3 to take on the Jayhawks at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center, in a 7:30 p.m. ET tilt. Kansas holds a special place in Mountaineer history, as West Virginia upset the No. 14-ranked Jayhawks in the team's regular-season finale last season for its first-ever win over a top-25 team. Down 9-8 in the fifth set, West Virginia took a timeout to regroup. The Mountaineers went on a 3-0 run out of the stoppage to take an 11-9 lead. Kansas continued to put up a fight, though, capitalizing on a Mountaineer attacking error to tie the set at 12-all. However, three straight kills gave WVU the 15-12 fifth-set win and the 3-2 victory in the contest.
Nov. 7 vs. Marshall
The in-state rivalry resumes, as the Mountaineers welcome the Thundering Herd to the WVU Coliseum for a Wednesday night matchup on Nov. 7. The two teams last met in 2017, with West Virginia sweeping Marshall for the first time since 2010 to bring the Golden Ball Trophy back to Morgantown for the second straight year. It also was WVU's first win in Huntington since 2000.
Nov. 17 vs. Oklahoma
The Mountaineers play host to the Sooners on Saturday, Nov. 17, as the squad caps its home slate before swinging through Texas to close the regular season. Last season, West Virginia claimed a 3-1 triumph over Big 12 foe Oklahoma for the first time in program history. OU claimed the first set, but WVU stormed back to win the next three sets in front of 1,264 Mountaineer fans on Alumni Weekend, at the WVU Coliseum, on Oct. 13.
Quotable – Head Coach Reed Sunahara
On the best way to describe this year's group
I think we have some talent on this team. They are all learning right now. We don't really have the experience because our upperclassmen have only played here and there the last couple years. The one with the most experience is probably (right side hitter) Natania (Levak). She has played pretty much every match for us. We are getting better. We are better than day one, so I'm excited about this team.
On his goals for the upcoming season
I want them to compete hard. If they compete hard and control their attitude and their effort, then we can do some good things. That's what I'm looking for. I don't think winning X number of games is what we are looking for. Obviously, we want to win, but our goal is to compete hard every day. We want to get one percent better every day.
On who he is turning to in terms of leadership and what they bring to the floor
Gabrielle (Cuckovich) and Erin (Slinde) will be this year's captains. They have very different personalities, but they complement each other well. Erin has more experience because she was our starting setter last year, but they work well together. Gabi gets the players' attention really quick, and Slinde is more of a mother-like figure. It is a good mix.
On filling the roles of graduates Gianna Gotterba and Mia Swanegan
It's an opportunity for other people to step up. I like the girls that we brought in. I think we are just as talented as the people that left, but we lack the experience. We have to grow up fast, and we have to make sure that they are doing the right thing.
On who his key returners are and how the depth of the team helps with consistency
If Natania can be healthy, I think she can have a great year. She's stepping up. She's trying to lead the team. I had a conversation with Natania, and I told her just because she is not a captain doesn't mean she can't lead. She's working hard and making the best of the situation. It's her time to shine. (Junior outside hitter) Katelyn (Evans) is doing a nice job, too. All four juniors have been through the good times and the bad times. They don't want it to be like before. They want to lead this group to where we haven't been before. (Freshman middle blocker) Kristina (Jordan) is having a good camp as well. (Freshman outside hitter) Kristin (Lux), (freshman outside hitter) Macy (McElhaney) and (freshman defensive specialist) Keatan (Broughton) are having a good preseason, too. Hopefully, they can help us out down the road.
On the team's nonconference slate
Our nonconference matches are for us to figure out what we have and prepare us for conference. We have a tough schedule, and I'm looking forward to it. It'll tell us exactly what we need to do early on and how we are going to compete in the conference. I like playing better teams early on because it makes you better. Everyone is getting better in the Big 12. It's a tough conference. We had a nice run last year, but that was last year. We are focusing on this year.
On the little things that he is look for each day in terms of getting one percent better
I like kids who work hard. I look for kids who work hard and have good work ethic. They are good learners. If they are good learners, they are going to get one percent better. It's the mindset. We want kids who are going to have the growth mindset. We don't want them to have a fix mindset. They have been open minded during preseason camp for the most part, and they are willing to learn.
On the team's excitement with adding to last season's success and making history
Hopefully, they can see that we have had success, and we want to build on that. We want to continue to get better. We want to keep working hard, and we want to keep going in the right direction.
Tickets
Fans can purchase tickets by visiting WVUGAME.com, calling 1-800-WVU-GAME or at the Mountaineer Ticket Office, located at the Gold Gate of the WVU Coliseum. All tickets are general admission. When purchasing online, tickets are $5 each and $3 for groups of 10 or more. At the WVU Coliseum ticket window, tickets will be $7 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors and $3 for groups. The discounted online pricing will be available until first serve on game day. Fans are encouraged to order tickets in advance online at WVUGAME.com to avoid lines at the gate. Tickets for WVU students are free with a valid student I.D.
What You Need to Know
- The 2018 campaign marks the program's 44th season, as the squad looks to make its first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament following a 2017 National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) semifinal appearance.
- In Sunahara's first three seasons, West Virginia has steadily risen in the Big 12 Conference, ending the 2017 campaign in fifth place for WVU's best finish since joining the league in 2012.
- West Virginia's 21-13 record is only the second time in program history the Mountaineers have won 20 or more matches since their move to big-time volleyball in the Big East in 1995. With 21 wins in 2017, Sunahara earned his highest win total as head coach of the Mountaineers.
- West Virginia looks to continue in the right direction, as the squad is led by junior captains Gabrielle Cuckovich and Erin Slinde.
- WVU will play 15 home matches inside the WVU Coliseum, including a pair of home tournaments – Aug. 24-25 and Sept. 14-15.
- The Mountaineers will face seven teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season, as well as three teams that played in the NIVC Tournament.
- After welcoming Georgia Southern, Penn and Wright State on Aug. 24-25 for the annual WVU Invitational in the first official weekend of play, the Mountaineers will travel to Provo, Utah, for the BYU Nike Invitational. West Virginia will go head-to-head with three teams (BYU, Stanford and Wichita State) ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Preseason Poll from Aug. 30-Sept. 1.
Natania Levak – Levak, a junior right side hitter, brings the most experience to this year's squad, as she played in 122 of 125 sets last season. She finished second on the team in total blocks with 75, averaging 0.61 blocks per set. She also ranked third on the team in kills with 270, averaging 2.21 kills per set in 2017. Levak is the top returner as the team leader in kills and blocks.
Alexa Hasting – Hasting came to Morgantown as a freshman defensive specialist last season, but slid into the libero position once senior Gianna Gotterba exited the Mountaineers' opening weekend with a knee injury. Hasting stepped up in Gotterba's absence, finishing her freshman campaign with a team-leading 325 digs, averaging 2.69 per set. She also was presented with the team's Newcomer Award at the end-of-year banquet.
Kristina Jordan – Jordan, a freshman middle blocker, arrived in Morgantown in June and looks to earn herself a spot in this year's starting lineup, as senior Mia Swanegan departed to play professionally in Finland a few weeks ago. Jordan hails from San Diego, California, and was a four-year letterwinner at Liberty Charter High, where she led her team to its first-ever CIF Division 5 Championship as a senior. She also was named the 2017 Summit League Athlete of the Year, as well as the 2017 MaxPreps Player of the Year.
Key Matches
Sept. 19 vs. Iowa State
The Mountaineers open Big 12 play when the Cyclones come to town for a 6 p.m. matchup on Wednesday, Sept. 19. West Virginia will look to defeat Iowa State for the first time in program history, as ISU is one of five teams WVU will face ranked inside the AVCA Preseason Poll this season.
Sept. 29 vs. Texas
The Mountaineers play host to the Longhorns on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 1 p.m. The last time against Texas in Morgantown, West Virginia dropped a five-set heartbreaker to the No. 6-ranked team in the country. Despite claiming back-to-back sets to take a 2-1 match lead, the Mountaineers fell to the Longhorns in set scores of 25-27, 25-23, 25-21, 16-25 and 12-15. West Virginia also entered the Big 12 contest with a 10-match win streak, the team's longest win streak since 2014.
Oct. 3 at Kansas
West Virginia heads to Lawrence, Kansas, on Oct. 3 to take on the Jayhawks at the Horejsi Family Athletics Center, in a 7:30 p.m. ET tilt. Kansas holds a special place in Mountaineer history, as West Virginia upset the No. 14-ranked Jayhawks in the team's regular-season finale last season for its first-ever win over a top-25 team. Down 9-8 in the fifth set, West Virginia took a timeout to regroup. The Mountaineers went on a 3-0 run out of the stoppage to take an 11-9 lead. Kansas continued to put up a fight, though, capitalizing on a Mountaineer attacking error to tie the set at 12-all. However, three straight kills gave WVU the 15-12 fifth-set win and the 3-2 victory in the contest.
Nov. 7 vs. Marshall
The in-state rivalry resumes, as the Mountaineers welcome the Thundering Herd to the WVU Coliseum for a Wednesday night matchup on Nov. 7. The two teams last met in 2017, with West Virginia sweeping Marshall for the first time since 2010 to bring the Golden Ball Trophy back to Morgantown for the second straight year. It also was WVU's first win in Huntington since 2000.
Nov. 17 vs. Oklahoma
The Mountaineers play host to the Sooners on Saturday, Nov. 17, as the squad caps its home slate before swinging through Texas to close the regular season. Last season, West Virginia claimed a 3-1 triumph over Big 12 foe Oklahoma for the first time in program history. OU claimed the first set, but WVU stormed back to win the next three sets in front of 1,264 Mountaineer fans on Alumni Weekend, at the WVU Coliseum, on Oct. 13.
Quotable – Head Coach Reed Sunahara
On the best way to describe this year's group
I think we have some talent on this team. They are all learning right now. We don't really have the experience because our upperclassmen have only played here and there the last couple years. The one with the most experience is probably (right side hitter) Natania (Levak). She has played pretty much every match for us. We are getting better. We are better than day one, so I'm excited about this team.
On his goals for the upcoming season
I want them to compete hard. If they compete hard and control their attitude and their effort, then we can do some good things. That's what I'm looking for. I don't think winning X number of games is what we are looking for. Obviously, we want to win, but our goal is to compete hard every day. We want to get one percent better every day.
On who he is turning to in terms of leadership and what they bring to the floor
Gabrielle (Cuckovich) and Erin (Slinde) will be this year's captains. They have very different personalities, but they complement each other well. Erin has more experience because she was our starting setter last year, but they work well together. Gabi gets the players' attention really quick, and Slinde is more of a mother-like figure. It is a good mix.
On filling the roles of graduates Gianna Gotterba and Mia Swanegan
It's an opportunity for other people to step up. I like the girls that we brought in. I think we are just as talented as the people that left, but we lack the experience. We have to grow up fast, and we have to make sure that they are doing the right thing.
On who his key returners are and how the depth of the team helps with consistency
If Natania can be healthy, I think she can have a great year. She's stepping up. She's trying to lead the team. I had a conversation with Natania, and I told her just because she is not a captain doesn't mean she can't lead. She's working hard and making the best of the situation. It's her time to shine. (Junior outside hitter) Katelyn (Evans) is doing a nice job, too. All four juniors have been through the good times and the bad times. They don't want it to be like before. They want to lead this group to where we haven't been before. (Freshman middle blocker) Kristina (Jordan) is having a good camp as well. (Freshman outside hitter) Kristin (Lux), (freshman outside hitter) Macy (McElhaney) and (freshman defensive specialist) Keatan (Broughton) are having a good preseason, too. Hopefully, they can help us out down the road.
On the team's nonconference slate
Our nonconference matches are for us to figure out what we have and prepare us for conference. We have a tough schedule, and I'm looking forward to it. It'll tell us exactly what we need to do early on and how we are going to compete in the conference. I like playing better teams early on because it makes you better. Everyone is getting better in the Big 12. It's a tough conference. We had a nice run last year, but that was last year. We are focusing on this year.
On the little things that he is look for each day in terms of getting one percent better
I like kids who work hard. I look for kids who work hard and have good work ethic. They are good learners. If they are good learners, they are going to get one percent better. It's the mindset. We want kids who are going to have the growth mindset. We don't want them to have a fix mindset. They have been open minded during preseason camp for the most part, and they are willing to learn.
On the team's excitement with adding to last season's success and making history
Hopefully, they can see that we have had success, and we want to build on that. We want to continue to get better. We want to keep working hard, and we want to keep going in the right direction.
Tickets
Fans can purchase tickets by visiting WVUGAME.com, calling 1-800-WVU-GAME or at the Mountaineer Ticket Office, located at the Gold Gate of the WVU Coliseum. All tickets are general admission. When purchasing online, tickets are $5 each and $3 for groups of 10 or more. At the WVU Coliseum ticket window, tickets will be $7 for adults, $5 for youth and seniors and $3 for groups. The discounted online pricing will be available until first serve on game day. Fans are encouraged to order tickets in advance online at WVUGAME.com to avoid lines at the gate. Tickets for WVU students are free with a valid student I.D.
Players Mentioned
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