Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola talks about preseason, outlook for senior season

By Tinuke Aderemi-Ibitola
Senior, Outside Hitter

Preseason has been going pretty well. I feel like there is a very good dynamic on the team. Everyone has been working hard, and stepping up their game. There has been a lot of positive competition throughout preseason. Because the starting lineup is still yet to be decided, everyone is bringing their ‘A’ game to practice each day.

All the positive competition gets me really excited for the season. Being my last season, along with the four other seniors, we all have a drive to compete and be the best. Coming back after getting our first taste at the MAC Tournament since we have been in Kent, has us hungry for more.

These couple preseason matches to start the year, although they don’t count towards our MAC record, will be more than beneficial to us as a team. It will be great to finally play against some people other than ourselves, so we can put all of our competitive energy towards a real game. It will be fun to see where the season goes, and for us to showcase all the hard work we do in practice.

Team Reatreat, Day 3

By Payton Moore
Sophomore
Setter

It is the third day and of our retreat and I am eating a breakfast that is not burnt or tarnished in any way. 

Today will be good, I say to myself, and I am right. 

The team gathers in the living room for a quick meeting discussing team rules and shortly after describing our head pieces or accessories of some sort that remind us of our childhood or a fond memory. Alexis whips out a pair of dog-ears and Dalmatian-printed sunglasses with a hanging snout to tell us how she thought she was a dog as a kid, Brittney shows off her sparkly headband in remembrance of earlier volleyball tournaments, and Don describes to us his “Mala” hat, throwing it back to when he once wanted to start a surf-inspired clothing line using the last four letters of his last name.

Once finished, we are packed into minivans and on the road to a local landmark, Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Falling Water” house. The famous house sits on top of a waterfall and is an incredible sight for all of us. We took turns walking around the house and then began our journey back home where we piled out of the vans groggily but not forgetting the bonds and connections established in just a few short days.

Although our grand plans would have been made easier with a little less rain or burnt eggs, it only symbolizes our enduring perseverance for making the best out of a not-so great situation. The team pushed through fiercely cold rafting, 5-foot tall loft ceilings, and tough one-on-one talks. Everything about the last few days solidified our new goals for the 2014 season. Against the odds, we didn’t give up – we made success out of mild failures and had a hell of a time doing it.

Riding high on the rapids on Day 2 of the retreat – a challenge with some symbolism for Kent State Volleyball

By Payton Moore

Sophomore setter

Sitting next to Sarah, we simultaneously make a disgusted face as a cloud of smoke encircles the kitchen we sit in. We have managed to burn eggs to a brown and black marbled crisp. It is only the start of the long day we have ahead of us.

Our team woke up for a light jog that turned into a sprint against the elements as the rain became heavier. Kim instructed us to sit in the grass and start with a circuit of ab workouts that left most of us soaked and confused if it was from sweat or the rain. We finished up our crispy breakfast and prepared ourselves for the next big adventure on our schedules – our five-hour expedition whitewater rafting down the Ohiopyle River.

Climbing int cars with anxious looks on our faces, I couldn’t help but become utterly terrified of what lay in front of me. I’m not the fastest swimmer, and like my mom, water has always made me scared. Not to mention it was 60 out and pouring rain.

Into the rafts we went despite the downpour, and as I called out to the others, “20 bucks says I’ll be the first one in the river,” I clutched on to dear life to my paddle and hurriedly got the hang of directing the boat and spotting out racks to Kaylee, our captain.

Kim referred to our boat as most improved for obvious reasons – we nearly got stuck on every single rock on the first rapids.

It took two guides yanking us this way and that to continue the journey, and finally we were out … But not for long.

It only took one more rushing rapids to have me flying off, miserable and soaked, clutching onto the raft with dear life. I had to quickly collect my bearings and get back into the rhythm we set before I flew off.

We continued down the river with Kaylee flying off next, sprawling onto a rock and gaining her composure quickly to continue directing us. For us, that was the hardest part – having our captains or key lead figures not able to see imminent danger and stepping in calmly to direct others.

The rafting adventure left us soaked, a little scraped up and more sore than we thought possible. But despite the pouring rain and cold wind, later in a meeting, every single one of us declared how much fun we had against all of the odds. We discovered ways to look past the twists and turns the river threw at us and continue with “swag”, a happy smile and physical superiority. 

Although we agreed we’d have enjoyed it a smidgen more with 80 degree weather and blasting sunshine, the rain only added to the adventure, making things more slippery and unstable, like the fine line we balance whenever we play matches.

The river symbolized more than just a crazy adventure … It was everything we needed to know and master before Kent State Volleyball makes its official return to domination.

For more pictures from our team-bonding retreat, visit our Facebook page by CLICKING HERE.

Team Retreat to Ohiopyle: Day 1

By Payton Moore

Payton is a sophomore setter from Battle Creek, Mich. and Lakeview High School. 

As 18 taller-than-average girls piled into four mini vans, I thought of the song “Against All Odds” and how I’m astonished it wasn’t written by one of us. Adversity is our best friend and for the next three days we would fiercly embrace the term.

I virtually kissed all the people I don’t text goodbye a silent tear dripped down my face as 4G turned into a heart-stopping NO SERVICE.

For the next three days, our phones, TV access and former-known lives would be handed over to our three coaches for a team-bonding whitewater rafting experience in southern Pennsylvania.

Upon arriving in the 18-person (or so we think) house, I was reminded of summers spent up north fishing and hiking with my family in northern Michigan. The trees loomed over gravel-sprayed roads with our hanging branches and the river offered up some pretty relaxing views. 

A few of us claimed the best bedrooms. A few of us found the hidden corners and crevices of the new home. Drew discovered a plush plaid robe and refused to take it off for the remainder of the night. Others surrendered to nature and the Adirondack chairs out back. The select few remaining teammates clamored to the “loft” – an attic with six-foot-tall ceilings and eight tiny beds. Cozy, to say the least.

As groceries piled in, Don explained that the 18 of us would be making dinner. Never in my life have I ever seen someone burn boiling water, but we did it. We managed to crisp up pasta noodles while boiling them and make garlic toast too soggy, but we (Steve) made some tasty chicken and (Jenny-opened) bagged salad. Tasty.

Our evening activity was announced as Steve’s Minute to Win it. We divided into groups of three and began our first activity consisting of tennis balls and hula hoop. I immediately got way too excited because if this thing had anything to do with either of the two in their true state, my team would be absolutely winning as I placed second in the state finals for doubles tennis and can out hula-hoop a circus performer. Adversity, my friends, will teach you otherwise.

We were instructed to “hut, hut, hike” the tennis balls through the hoop and I was up first. I felt proud as I stepped away with two successful balls through the hoop as Bridget succeeded 12.

The next activities involved a set of sexy vintage pin-up cards, cotton balls, water balloons and Oreos. I’m pretty sure our team only lost because I couldn’t stop laughing and frequently had to excuse myself from the activities, and because Drew’s attempts at cheating failed her miserably.

For the next few hours we huddled around a campfire and toasted s’mores while discussing a few light topics, and a few heavier ones.

Steve asked us “who is your celebrity crush?” and the responses varied between Clooney, Hemsworth and Levin.

“What’s your biggest fear” followed with snakes, my house burning down, and dying before discovering bigfoot.

On our bucket lists were traveling the world, illustrating children’s books and skydiving. 

But what really made us all think was one final question – “When you look back and talk about our season, what do you want to have said we accomplished?”

Some of us truly grasp what we wanted to say, as this was no easy question. Just one day and I believe we developed a good base as to where we want to be come November.

Photos from Preseason Retreat

After a morning practice on Sunday, our team left for a team-bonding and white water rafting trip at Ohiopyle in Pennsylvania. Here are a few photos from our first day. 

Norberg Looks to Use Experience at European Global Challenge to Springboard Sophomore Season

The Kent State volleyball team will kickoff preseason practice for the 2014 campaign Saturday morning at the M.A.C. Center. Several of the Golden Flashes stuck around campus and took summer courses over the past few months.

Sophomore Drew Norberg was not among those players, however. The 6-0 middle blocker was awarded the opportunity to travel and compete at the European Global Challenge in Pula, Croatia last month. The South Lake Tahoe, Calif. native was one of nine student-athletes selected to represent the Northern California VolleyballAssociation (NCVA).

“I was so excited because I’ve always wanted to go to Europe,” Norberg said. “I got a text from my club coach. He said they were in need of a middle and told them about me.”

While the competition lasted just four days (July 14-17), Norberg and her NCVA teammates were able to take advantage of this opportunity and spent nearly two weeks in Europe.

The team flew to Milan, Italy, where it spent a few days training and sightseeing. Then it was on to Lovere, Italy to spend time in the Alps in addition to more sightseeing and practicing against the Italian Youth National Team. Following the end of competition in Pula, the team spent a few days in Venice, Italy before heading back to the U.S.

“Venice was probably my favorite place that we visited. It was just unbelievable almost with all of the water and everything. It was just so beautiful over there. All of the cultures were different and it was a really good experience.”

On the court, the NCVA team finished 7th out of 12 teams competing in the U22 division of the event. The nine-player roster included just two middles, which provided Norberg with a lot of on-court action to continue improving her game.

“I was pleased with how I played overall and think I improved really well in blocking and serves. I didn’t get that much offensive stuff in, but I definitely got to work on other things that I had wanted to.”

The experience also allowed her a first-hand glimpse at the way the sport is played at the international level.

“The main difference is the tempo over there is a lot slower because they focus more on placing the ball and taking smart shots. They try to outsmart their opponents instead of just trying to beat them and be faster than them.”

When she wasn’t traveling abroad, Norberg spent much of her time back home working out and focusing on preparing for her sophomore season. Despite not seeing much court time throughout the year, Norberg continued working hard and came through with her best performance against Ohio in the quarterfinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, totaling 4 kills and a .667 attack percentage. She received the team’s Most Improved Award following the season. 

“A lot of girls come in thinking they’re the best. They were the best at their high school, and I had that mentality as well coming into last year. I didn’t realize how much that I had to learn and how much I really needed to just start over. It was hard, but now I understand what the coaches want and how much I still have to learn and to improve on.”

“I played a lot of volleyball, so I’m in good playing shape. Blocking was a big thing for me. I know Coach Gromala wants me become a better blocker and has talked about working on my footwork in my approach and my block. So I worked on that a lot with my coaches back in California.

Kent State made great strides in 2013, doubling both its overall and conference win totals from the previous season, in addition to qualifying for the MAC Tournament for the first time since 2010. A national Top 100 recruiting class joins a team that lost just three players from a season ago, providing great optimism for the program.

“I definitely want to make it to the MAC Tournament again and wins a few matches. I’m looking forward to a really good, positive year and hope to give our seniors something to go out with. I was excited to see everyone when I got into town and can’t wait to get back into it."