Women's Volleyball 2023 Season Preview
The Providence Christian volleyball team kicks off California Pacific Conference play, hitting the road to Arizona for a three-game road trip versus Park Gilbert, Embry-Riddle, and Benedictine Mesa. The Lady Sea Beggars have worked tirelessly as a cohesive unit to prepare for the 2023 season, and they look to make a statement every step of the way.
Senior Jordyn Moser was named team captain and has proven to be instrumental for the volleyball program. Jordyn's leadership has been vital as she has acted as the liaison between the staff and team beginning this past Spring. She's assisted in onboarding, setting team expectations and pillars, and the management of all team activities, such as move-in and the team retreat. Senior transfer Tiari Ho'okano was also chosen by her teammates as the second captain. She has natural leadership ability both on and off the court. The players affectionately call her "Auntie Tee" because of her motherly instinct and loving nature. Between these two captains, they are sure to naturally course correct should the Beggars sail into heavy storms.
The Lady Sea Beggars strive to put Christ first in all they do and have committed to daily team devotions and sharing their testimonies on what they call "Testimony Tuesday". The team also has pillars that include mission work and outreach to the community, a more detailed and specific focus on the Bible, team bonding and team community building within the Providence athletic department, and reaching a wider audience through various forms of social media. Because of their commitment to these principles and theri modeling strong Christian values, Rachel Jensen and Jacey Loewen were voted as Faith and Spiritual Co-Captains for the 2023 season.
The team has actively prepared for the Cal Pac play, participating in virtual activities and meeting with coaches throughout the summer regardless of where they were around the world. They have also engaged in community service projects and attended events together. The team retreat emphasized the importance of family and operating as a sisterhood. The players have been reading Proverbs since the summer and have been applying its wisdom to their daily lives. The expectation is that Proverbs will become the foundation and DNA of the team's values and actions.
Providence Head Coach Lauryn Andrew said, "The team's motto for this season is 'Get the point to get the point.' It sounds redundant, but it's about understanding the purpose to fulfill the purpose. An example of this, shared by Professor David Alexander at this year's Convocation, is that we have rules, but just because you know the rules, doesn't mean you know how to win the game. Another is that just because you believe there is a God, doesn't mean you'll spend eternity with Him. The rules are but mere parameters, boundaries, and a system in which we play/live. But within those rules are details: mental, physical, emotional, and technical that help us to make gains, win, pursue excellence, and succeed." The Lady Sea Beggars are clinging to that motto for the season and are striving to live it out in every aspect of their lives.
When asked about key contributors, coach Andrew emphasized that everyone on the team is of equal importance and their success is measured by everyone buying into the system and contributing at practice. She encourages the team to have a player-led mission for each other, such as cheering and being proactive, and emphasizes that this should come from the players themselves, not just the coaching staff. All players, even those on the sidelines, as they contribute through hours of practice and repetition, are of immense value to the Sea Beggar volleyball program. Everyone contributes, everyone matters. Coach Andrew and her assistant Athena Abary, have instilled a player-led mission, encouraging the girls to support and motivate one another. They are responsible for cheering, arriving early to practice, and providing feedback to their teammates. This approach fosters a sense of accountability and camaraderie among the players. The coaching staff's role is to guide and prepare, while the student-athletes are the ones who play together on the court.
The 2023 Lady Sea Beggars boast a diverse range of skills and abilities. Jacey Loewen has had a great start and is expected to be a key player this season, with her improved blocking, speed, and vocal presence on the court. Jaznel-Lynette Baker-Samuelu and Tehani Ho'okano, the new setters, are defensive powerhouses who are also learning to run the offense effectively. Valeria Garcia will play a crucial role in both the defensive and offensive efforts in the middle. Iris del Valle brings her beach volleyball IQ and indoor experience to the team, giving her an edge in terms of court vision and ball placement. The addition of Tiari Ho'okano has solidified the need for a 6-rotation pin hitter. Jordyn Moser has established herself as an attacker at the pin, with defensive specialist Josophine Fuamatu providing support in the back row. Rachel Jensen, an outside hitter and defensive specialist, is also making gains this season. She is relieved to be back in her true role after stepping libero last year.
Two utility players, Sanaii Cooper and Isabella Taue'etia, have proven to be valuable assets to the team. They have experience playing as left and right pins and are effective attackers on either side. Sanaii brings speed, a great vertical, and a solid block to the team, while Bella's ability to set adds a unique dimension to the offense. The team's right-side hitters include Jenelle Loewen, a left-handed threat, junior transfer Jennifer Martinez, and fellow freshmen Kaili McDowell and Lauren Anderson. Although Anderson will be out for the first half of the season due to an injury, her return is expected to surprise opponents in the second round of play. Kaili, who is transitioning from middle to the pin, is coachable and has quickly picked up the skills required for the position. Jennifer and Jenelle will provide strong defense on the right pin, going head-to-head against the opponents' strongest hitters. Jenelle's left-handed form and size make her a formidable blocker, and her powerful arm swing guarantees kills.
The libero position is fiercely contested by freshman Elaine Turituri and junior transfers Chenelle Jones and Amaya Garcia, all in contention to win the starting spot. All three players are working to gain the trust of their teammates, particularly in serve receive. Each has their unique serving style, with Chenelle's float serve, Elaine's powerful serve, and Amaya's unexpected short serve. The decision on who will fill this position will ultimately come down to the feel and dynamics of the team.
When asked about the season, senior captain Jordyn Moser said, "When other teams think about bringing in 13 new girls, they might think it'd be a recipe for disaster. However, I think that was one of the best things we could've done coming into this year. This group has depth, and we have girls on the bench ready to go. The first month of the season is always the hardest with multiple practices a day, but this team has put their head down and gone to work. We already have stats ranking not only within the Cal Pac, but nationally and I think that is huge for Providence Volleyball. It is honestly an honor to even get to be one of the captains of this team and I am so excited to see how the rest of the season plays out!" Fellow senior captain Tiari Ho'okano added, "Today we start conference and man, I can't believe how fast time flew by! From getting to know everyone at retreat, to double days and ice baths, I'm excited to see what the season holds for us. It's been nice having pre-season games to find our flow and form connections because these girls are more than just a team. They are your 'home away from home'. As a senior transfer, I know that our conference always comes to compete, but man, so do we. Don't underestimate the heart of a Lady Sea Beggar. I am most excited for our game against UAV, hence it being my previous school. We were able to learn a lot about ourselves and one another both on and off the court during this pre-season in which I believe will give us a strong start in conference. #SKOBEGGS"
Together, these 18 players are establishing Providence Christian volleyball as a contender for the postseason. The team's level of play has significantly improved, and their dedication to excellence is united. The Beggar's defense is on point, making them thrilling to watch, and their offense is steadily integrating into the system. Lady Sea Beggar Volleyball is on the rise, and these young women are determined to make their mark. The team has also planned exciting, themed matches with epic giveaways and mid-set contests to keep the crowd engaged and entertained. Don't miss out any of the action. Be sure to come cheer the Beggars on for their home opener on Thursday September 14th as they take on Cal Pac opponent Simpson University at 7pm!