Why a young Iowa City Regina volleyball team believes it's ready for postseason push
Despite sustaining a 3-0 (19-25, 22-25, 14-25) loss to the Mid-Prairie Golden Hawks on senior night Thursday, the Iowa City Regina Regals volleyball team saw no reason to hang its heads.
The group has continued to outplay expectations, and its final regular-season game served as one final hurrah before the start of postseason play.
The Regals have spent the fall embracing a change in culture.
The following takeaways from Thursday night's match are an indication as to why.
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The future is bright for the Regals
Reese Naeve has had an undeniable impact on the team, but she is not the only freshman who has been making some noise.
Kiley Devery has been making a name for herself in recent weeks, and Thursday night was a prime example.
She finished with several kills and provided key plays that helped to shift momentum into Regina's favor.
Gaining more confidence with every match she plays, Devery said strengthening her relationships with her teammates has been key.
"I think that I have improved by getting on the same page with my setters," Devery said. "We have connected a lot, which has been great. I think that is going to help us a lot over the next couple of years."
Including Devery, the Regals have 10 players who will be back for at least one more season, allowing them to continue to grow with one another and develop into a special program.
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Thursday night was about much more than just a volleyball match
The Regals' already-infectious energy seemed to be stronger than usual Thursday.
While the pregame senior night festivities played a part, the team got an extra jolt before it stepped on the court.
Regals head coaches Brandon Mills and Lauren Hansen took the players to the home and barn of Dr. Ernie Found, the father of fallen West High volleyball player Caroline Found.
Having become synonymous with resiliency, positivity and leadership since her tragic death in 2011, Caroline Found's legacy continues to live on through those who knew her.
One of those people is Hansen, who was a former coach of Found and even named her daughter after her.
As a way to motivate her players, Hansen said she believed that introducing her players to Ernie Found was a top priority.
"To me, it was the most important part of the season to take the girls there," Hansen said. "My relationship with her was incredible, and I wanted them to learn that as well as everything she brought to the team she was on when I was coaching her and what she brought to life. I want these girls to not only be great volleyball players but great humans, which is what this is all about. It is about being able to play the game with a smile on your face, whether it is a win or a loss."
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In addition to the visit, the players wore "Live Like Line" shirts during pregame warmups.
Well aware of the story of Caroline Found, Devery said the shirts held an important reminder for her to continue to keep a positive attitude.
"She was a super positive girl throughout her entire career," Devery said. "So, I feel that 'Living Like Line' is to have that attitude all the time."
This postseason signifies a fresh start for the Regals
Regina finished with a 13-13 record, and optimism remains high ahead of the start of postseason competition.
Showing flashes of greatness throughout the year, Regals co-head coach Brandon Mills said he believes that the team is capable of making a deep run.
"We will have a whole new mindset starting on Saturday," Mills said. "After that, it is 'loser goes home' and it is going to be tough when it is all over because we have a great group of girls here. We do not want this year to end, so we will do whatever we can to keep it going."
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The team has the element of surprise working in its favor.
With so many young players in the lineup, opposing teams will not know what to expect as Regina's offense does not go through just one person.
With several talented players like Naeve, Devery, Caitlin Martin and more coming alive over the course of the season, there is no telling which hitter is going to take over on a given night.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City Regina volleyball team eager to test itself in postseason
