The sound of sneakers squeaking across the gym floor is unmistakable, a reminder that conference play is just around the corner. For collegiate athletes like Samantha and Olivia, two key players on Texas State University’s volleyball team, pre-season is less about relaxation and more about preparation. Their commitment to intense training, both on and off the court, offers a glimpse into the world of elite-level volleyball. Behind the scenes, the players are driven by the promise of success, while coaches like Brian Gabriel, the team’s strength and conditioning coach, ensure the athletes are physically ready for the season.
Pre-season for these athletes is a paradox—it’s both the most grueling and the most rewarding time of the year. “Summer break going into pre-season is the best time ever for a college volleyball player,” says Samantha, a redshirt sophomore from Austin, Texas. Her excitement is obvious, but so is the understanding of what lies ahead: long days of conditioning, recovery, and preparing the body for the rigors of a challenging season. Olivia, a junior libero, shares similar sentiments, explaining how pre-season offers a unique opportunity to focus on fitness. “We’re lifting weights with our strength coach, and we do sprint workouts. Just being in the gym keeps me in shape,” she says.
Building Power: The Coach’s Perspective
At the heart of the team’s physical preparation is Coach Brian Gabriel. His pre-season training packet focuses on power—essential for volleyball players whose game depends on explosive movements like jumping and quick direction changes. “The key components of the program include plyometrics and power creation,” explains Gabriel. “It’s about getting the players off the ground quicker and higher.”
The workouts are tailored specifically for volleyball, with exercises like snatches and push jerks that directly translate to movements on the court. “Agility and change-of-direction drills go hand in hand with how they move during games,” Gabriel adds. The volleyball court is a place where speed, reflexes, and strength come together, and the summer training program is designed to build those very qualities.
For Gabriel, the ultimate measure of success is simple: health. “We want to prevent injuries and make sure we don’t have to start from scratch when conference play begins,” he says. While winning is always a goal, it’s secondary to keeping the athletes healthy and ready to compete.
A Culture of Accountability
The volleyball team at Texas State isn’t just physically tough; they’ve built a culture of accountability that drives their success. “We have an all-out, all-the-time culture,” Samantha says. The players push each other to give their best effort, whether it’s diving for a ball or holding themselves to high standards in practice. This dynamic isn’t just about individual improvement—it’s about making the entire team stronger.
Olivia expresses a similar feeling, describing how the team pushes each other without taking it personally. “We all know we’re working towards the same goal,” she says. That goal isn’t just about winning games; it’s about fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. As a libero, Olivia’s role is to stay reliable, both as a teammate and a player. She sees herself as a “hype man” on and off the court, keeping the team positive even during tough times.
This culture of accountability is essential, especially when the team is navigating the highs and lows of the season. Samantha describes her role as a competitive leader, someone who leads by example, showing her teammates what it means to work hard. It’s this sense of shared responsibility that keeps the team bonded and focused on their goals, particularly as they head into a tough conference season.
The Mental Game: Staying Motivated
Beyond the physical preparation, the mental side of the game is just as critical for athletes like Samantha and Olivia. Staying motivated during pre-season, when the conference play feels distant, can be a challenge. “I would say my family keeps me motivated through hard times,” Samantha shares. Her support system extends beyond her family to her coaches and fellow players. “The volleyball community keeps me wanting to play and be a part of it,” she adds, reflecting on the camaraderie that exists both on and off the court.
Olivia, too, has her own methods for staying passionate about the sport, especially during challenging moments. “I just get back to the reason why I started playing volleyball, and that’s to have fun,” she says. For her, it’s about simplifying the game and focusing on the basics when things get tough, a mental reset that helps her stay grounded.
This mindset isn’t just about enduring the tough times; it’s about thriving through them. The athletes know that the hard work they put in over the summer will pay off once the season starts. For Olivia, continuing to play in college was always a dream. “It’s always been a goal for me,” she says, reflecting on how her time at Texas State has exceeded her expectations. “I’ve met some of my best friends here, and it’s so much fun to play with them every day.”
Conclusion: The Payoff of Preparation
The volleyball season may officially start in the fall, but for players like Samantha and Olivia, it begins long before that. Their summer workouts, led by the dedicated guidance of coaches like Brian Gabriel, lay the foundation for success. The team’s culture of hard work and accountability, paired with a supportive community, drives each athlete to give their best. As they head into conference play, their physical and mental preparation will be put to the test, but with a strong foundation in place, the Texas State volleyball team is ready for whatever comes next.
For these athletes, the payoff is more than just wins and losses; it’s the experience of growing as a team and as individuals, all while chasing the dream of a championship season.
