DePaul University Athletics
Volleyball Remains Focused
11/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
CHICAGO – DePaul volleyball is on its way to rebuild again. When Head Coach Dawn Dockstader arrived in 1997 she performed one of the quickest and most successful turnarounds of a program in the country. She took a program with just three wins in 1996 and rebuilt it to bring her team to the NCAA tournament in 2001.
But the class of 2001 graduated five starters for the Blue Demons and Dockstader and her staff have found themselves in a rebuilding situation again. A record of 5-25, 1-12 in Conference USA this season comes as a disappointment to the Blue Demon tradition but is a necessary step in the process of reconstructing a winning program.
“Sure we are disappointed but we are not deflated,” says Dockstader.
“Over the past six years we have worked hard to bring back the strong tradition of DePaul volleyball. Even though this season is not what we expected, it does not change how far this program has come and what we have accomplished.”
With the help DePaul’s strong tradition, the 2002 team handled the season with grace and pride while facing great adversity.
“I am very proud of how my players have handled this tough season,” says Dockstader. Usually when teams experience a season like this there are bad attitudes or dissension among the members of the team but I can honestly say that their attitudes were great and they never gave up. They were incredibly resilient and upbeat to the end.”
Great attitudes and strong work ethics are every coach’s dream. But with injuries and lack of a steady lineup, it’s hard to fine-tune any team.
“We just couldn’t find the right mix. We were right there knocking on the door, we just couldn’t bust through it as evident by how many five game matches we lost. I firmly believe that with a lot of hard work this winter and spring combined with our most talented recruiting class ever, we will be just fine in 2003,” says Dockstader.
“Seasons like this are tough but you learn so much about yourself and others. I have always believed that this team is made up of young women with great character, and the way they handled this season reinforced my belief even more.”
“I expect this experience to pay huge dividends in the future for DePaul volleyball.”
The foundation has been laid with hard work and the right attitudes. This steady foundation will allow the Blue Demons to build a successful program once again and continue the DePaul volleyball tradition.
