Our men’s volleyball team has had a historic start to the season.
The Cougars had a 7 game winning streak going until recently when we lost to the number 2 ranked team in the nation, Lourdes University.
Because of our historic start, I had to reach out, and am grateful that an interview was landed with senior outside hitter Samuel Rodriguez. Being a leader of the 10-3 Cougars, it’s very important that we get insight on the new system the team has brought to the court this season.
The Cougars are lead by a first year SXU coach this season, Tom Ryan. Rodriguez says that with his help, the seniors are now better equipped to lead the younger players and help bring a different approach to the floor.
He shared that the Cougars had really struggled, during his career, against several teams that they have beaten early this season. Also, Rodriguez says they often spoke on the team’s “potential to be good”, but that accepting a role would be very vital in having a special season.
Not every player is going to be able to play every moment of every match or game, so to be successful as a group you must be mature enough to accept a lesser role sometimes, for the greater good of the team. This is also true in the corporate world, where not everyone is going to have their face in front of the camera to get the credit for all the good and bad that happens.
To be successful as a group, and this has been proven over time, every piece of the puzzle does its job and let the chips fall where they may. Rodriguez shared that he’s accepted a lesser role than expected, but has not let that derail the success or the progression of the team and the younger individual players around him.
“I try to be more vocal,” he says, “and give insight to the young guys about their approach to the game.” He continued to say that his message has been mainly about “not being afraid to fail”, since the truth about the program is that it “hasn’t been what it is right now”.
Sometimes when you reach new heights or go into a new environment, there’s a culture shock that can come with it, usually. In our Cougars’ case, teams that have historically beaten us seem to walk onto the court expecting to leave with a win. Our team has been able to approach the game now with a much tougher mindset now, as they recognize their talents and seek to prove themselves tough to the world.
The only three losses the team has suffered this season has been to ranked programs (Saint Ambrose (6), Clarke (9), and Lourdes (2). There is still another level we can get to as a unit, but the togetherness and confidence as a group will no doubt get us over the hump.
Speaking of togetherness, Rodriguez mentions that he appreciates the family atmosphere within the SXU body.
He recalls a specific game last year when a random group of grade schoolers came out to support to team, and helped fuel the Cougars to victory as they and others “tore down the crowd”. He also shared that the previous coach of the men’s team frequently checks on the guys to make sure they are doing okay, which encapsulates what SXU has been about.
As a student-athlete, Rodriguez says it is very important that you manage your time well, as college students can become very business between sports, work, sport, etc.
Also, maybe even more importantly, we should have our priorities in order if we want to be successful. He’s very appreciative of teammates respecting boundaries and not being a distraction when one says they are busy with homework and cannot hang out.
This is very honorable of the crew, I must say. SXU athletes like Rodriguez are also calling for our attendance at the games in the Shannon Center. The “truly magical” season they have had would be even more special if more bodies were present to make sure the atmosphere was even more live during the games.
Follow our school’s athletics pages, and continue to support our Cougars as they have been doing great things this season, and will continue to do so.
Dallas Haywood
Sports Reporter