Your future, our focus
BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune
Two weeks of rest and recovery have allowed the Northwest College Trapper volleyball team to focus on the mental aspect of the game while practicing before Region IX play begins.
“It went by a lot faster than I thought it would,” coach Scott Keister said. “I was like, do we have another week? I think it was good for them.”
Keister said the team took the time to focus on the mental aspect of the game in addition to focusing on schoolwork since the team has been on the road constantly since Aug. 26.
“We have traveled so much that they have gotten behind or whatever and felt the stress of staying on top of things,” Keister said. “I know most of them spent their time in the library and so now their mind is more at ease because that is another stress off the table.”
He said the team continues to train, although he avoids overworking the players to ensure they do not get injured before region play.
Region play will kick off back on the road for the last time before returning home next weekend, starting with the Trappers (6-12) in Casper (13-9) at 7 p.m. on Friday.
After Friday the Trappers will head down to Rock Springs (12-7) on Saturday at 2 p.m. to take on Western Wyoming.
“We haven’t seen any of the teams from our region yet in person but I think the level of play across the region this year is up tremendously,” Keister said. “Which is fun. It makes every match fun, that’s why you play sports is for the challenge.”
Keister said the players are continuing to accept who they are, and are finding the strengths in their play as they progress throughout the season.
He said they continue to focus on themselves despite hitting conference, as the team is growing throughout the season.
“A lot of our focus has been just on performance,” Keister said. “We understand that we are not the best team out there, and that’s OK. We are who we are. It is really based on our performance and how we do. If we go out there and play the best we can, the result will take care of itself whichever way it’s supposed to go.”