Trevecca Volleyball looks toward NCAA Championship after strong start

By Maven McGregory

Senior sports reporter

After completing their first year in a new conference, the Trevecca volleyball team is back with a goal of winning the conference tournament and making an appearance in the NCAA tournament.

The Trojans are now 9–3 and 3–0 in Gulf South Conference games following a 3–0 win against University of Alabama in Huntsville on Sept. 27. 

“Last season, we were new to the Gulf South conference and unsure what kind of team we were going to be with so many freshmen playing. This year we have more experienced group, players who have either played on the team or coming from programs where they’ve played before they’re blending their own experience with our returning players’ experience,” said Emily Moore, Trevecca volleyball’s head coach.

Skias Hainline, now in her second year as captain, is leading the Trojans both on and off the court to maintain focus on the NCAA Tournament goal.

“We’ve had eight new players in the fall. We have three seniors and three people who have been in the program for two plus years. So, it’s been tough when you have to kind of shape them and teach them the culture that we’ve known,” said Hainline.

Trevecca’s team consists of three seniors, three juniors, five sophomores and five freshmen, with eight returning players that coach Moore said give the Trojans an advantage in athleticism. 

“The number one thing would be the general athleticism combined, each player bringing a high level of athleticism, which makes our team more athletic, maybe more than we’ve been in the past,” said Moore.

Moore, now in her seventh season leading the program, is confident that the team will achieve the goal set to compete in the NCAA tournament.

“This year, especially after seeing us perform in preseason in our early non-conference matches, we’ve decided our goal is to make the NCAA tournament,” said Moore. 

In 2015, Trevecca volleyball earned its first NCAA regional appearance after winning the Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament championship. Since then, the Trojans have remained a competitive Division II program.

Moore said there are two ways for a team to reach the NCAA Tournament. 

“There are two pathways to do that. One is you win your conference tournament, and you’re an automatic qualifier. The other is that you have a really strong regular-season showing, and it allows you to be regionally ranked. We think we have shot winning the conference tournament, but that’s a tough order,” said Moore

Moore emphasized the importance of consistency and strong play throughout the season in achieving the team’s goals.

“You’ve got to play just right three days in a row. But, if you can play really well over the course of a season, I think that gives us an even better chance to make the NCAA tournament. So, yes, we’re going to make the NCAA tournament. Yes, we’re going to be competitive in the conference tournament,” said Moore.

Looking back at last season in the Gulf South Conference, Moore pointed to the team’s growth and the added experience that returning and new players bring this year.

Hainline helps the team stay focused and motivated by living out their ‘Create, Compete, Close’ motto for this season.

“We have CCC, which means Create, Compete, Close. It’s in our lockers and we say it every game and practice. We are competing in every drill regardless of what drill it is, who I’m with, what team I’m on, you want to be better than the person across the net from you, in practice and games,” said Hainline.

Hainline emphasized that commitment to the motto and maximum effort in practice benefits not just the individual but the entire team’s culture.

“That makes the team better. Even if you are not going to see the court that weekend, you’re making the person in front of you better and that creates a good environment and culture for the team,” said Hainline.

Hainline highlighted the team’s close-knit culture, off-court bond, and pregame rituals, which help the team build chemistry and improve performance in games.

“We have fun. We have our dance circle pre-game ritual in the locker room. We are just super close. I genuinely enjoy coming to practice, “said Hainline

Looking ahead to their next matchup, the Trojans remain focused on maintaining effort and intensity in every match as they work toward their season goals.

“Moving forward we’re preaching the same thing to our team, which is that all games are important, and we need to treat them as if winning them advances us and losing them keeps us from our goals, ” said Moore. 

The team will face Lee University at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30.