SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - As the Santa Barbara volleyball team prepares for the upcoming season, one word encapsulates their focus and drive: unity. The Gauchos open their season against San Jose State on Friday, August 29.
 
Returning players have made it their mission to cultivate an inclusive environment, ensuring the seamless integration of newcomers. With a strong emphasis on team chemistry and a shared commitment to excellence, the squad is poised for a promising season.
 
Unity and integration
The returning players have taken it upon themselves to set the tone for the team's unity. Their dedication to fostering an inclusive environment has been evident both on and off the court. The returners have gone above and beyond to integrate the newcomers into the team. The result is a cohesive unit that is already operating at a high level.
 
"They have really set the tone there," said head coach Matt Jones. "We have returners in all different roles, but if I'm talking about the returners as a group, that's the biggest impact that they have had."
 
Volleyball-wise, the returners have also played a crucial role in dictating the team's style of play. From coverage to the little things that define a team's identity, they have been instrumental in shaping the team's approach to the game.
 
Depth in key positions
One of the team's strengths this season lies in their depth across various positions. The setters, for instance, have been doing an excellent job of spreading the offense and running different concepts.
 
With four setters in the mix, the team feels confident in their ability to maintain balance and execute their strategies effectively throughout the year.
 
"We just feel like we have depth and we have pieces to be good there throughout the year," Jones said.
 
The middles, too, boast impressive depth, with five players competing for spots. This level of competition pushes each player to be their best, and the coaching staff is excited to see how this depth will play out as the season progresses.
 
"It's hard to even say who is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. There is not a lot of drop off skill wise between all of them," Jones said. "Between the five, we're going to have some good options, for sure. We have even said as a coaching staff, there have been days where any of those five have been the best in the gym on that day, which is pretty rare."
 
Process-oriented goals
While the ultimate goal is to contend for a Big West Championship, the team understands that it's the process that will lead them there. They are focused on taking each match one at a time and putting together stretches of good volleyball. In a sport where ups and downs are inevitable, the team is prepared to respond to challenges with resilience and determination.
 
"We've been a pretty unified group to this point, but eventually, we're going to play a match that we lose – hopefully not a ton – but we're going to lose matches. How we respond to that is going to be the biggest thing."
 
As the season approaches, the team is eager to showcase their unity, depth, and strategic prowess on the court.
 
With a strong foundation of returning players and the integration of newcomers, they are ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead. The team's journey will be defined by their ability to stay true to their goals and respond to adversity in the right way. With their sights set on a successful season, the Santa Barbara volleyball team is poised to make their mark in the conference and beyond.