Cowgirl volleyball finally at home

Richard Anderson photo
First-year Cowgirl volleyball coach Carrie Yerty, center, talks to some frontline players earlier this season in practice.

By Richard Anderson
Wyoming Sports.org

OK, so Laramie is no Hawaii. But the Wyoming volleyball team and new head coach Carrie Yerty are more than happy to be home.

For Yerty, it will be home for the first time in her Wyoming career.

“I think it will be really exciting to be home for me; it will be the first match that I will get to be a part of in the UniWyo and in Laramie. I’m really looking forward to the environment and the community support,” Yerty said.

The Cowgirls, after two weeks on the road at Corvallis, Ore., and Honolulu, will open the home part of their schedule this weekend with the annual UniWyo Cowgirl Classic.

Action begins Friday morning at 10 a.m. when the Cowgirls host Kansas. The Cowgirls will also face Alabama-Birmingham Friday at 7:30 p.m. and close the tournament Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against Cleveland State.

It’s been a rough start for the Cowgirls, 0-6 in the two tournaments. At the same time, Yerty is pleased with the team’s progress.

“I think that starting off 0-6 is tough, especially when you have a team returning where we don’t have anybody but Tasha (Weishahn) or Carissa (Lee) who have any significant playing time. Every time you step out on the court, it is a learning experience,” Yerty said. “Our team, right now, do we want to win? Absolutely. Are we looking forward to celebrating that first victory? Yes.”

Last weekend was a good experience for the team, Yerty said, in terms of having the opportunity to go to Hawaii and play in front of 5,000 fans.

“Hawaii and Minnesota were ranked No. 11 and 12, so for a program that is seeking that for a final destination, to see those two teams at that elite level, is a great experience,” she said. “The fans in Hawaii are just incredible. They understand the game and they appreciate good volleyball. Regardless of which team played well or which team scored, they did a really good job of supporting all of the teams at the tournament. For me, I definitely want our team to see that level of play, because that is the direction that we want to head.”

Kansas, 4-2 this season, is led by Karina Garlington, who is averaging 3.95 kills and 1.60 digs per set. Kansas returns six starters and 11 letterwinners on a team that went 13-17 overall and 6-14 in the Big 12 Conference a year ago.

“Kansas is a Big 12 team and they are very reportable in terms of their program,” Yerty said. “They are going to return a good, solid squad. For us to compete or possibly take a game or win a match against Kansas, it would be huge.”

The UAB Blazers are currently 3-2 overall and will play Cleveland State before taking on the Cowgirls. UAB is led by Ivana Bozic, who is averaging 3.33 kills and 3.56 digs. They return five starters and 10 letterwinners to a team that went 24-10 overall and 12-4 in Conference USA a year ago.

“Alabama-Birmingham was in Conference USA when I was there. They have competed for conference championships three out of the last four years and have an opportunity to advance to the NCAA Tournament,” Yerty said. “Again, you’re talking about a very quality, experienced team. They are going to be deep, they are going to be experienced. For us to challenge or take a game or match from Alabama-Birmingham would also be very good.”

Cleveland State is 1-5 overall and will play UAB and Kansas before taking on the Cowgirls. The Vikings are led by Beth Greulich, who is averaging 2.45 kills a game. Cleveland State went 23-9 overall and 13-3 in the Horizon League a year ago.

“Cleveland State is kind of in the same situation that we are in,” Yerty said. “They had a slow start. That might be an opportunity for us to relax and compete at a level that is a little bit more even across the board.”

The Cowgirls are currently led by outside hitter Dani Bedore, who is averaging 2.45 kills and 1.27 per set. She is followed by sophomore Lauren Whitney, who is adding 2.27 kills and almost one dig per set. As a team, they are averaging 9.86 kills and 11.73 digs per set.

“I’m really proud of how the team is competing,” Yerty said. “I’m really proud of how they are handling adversity with Tilly (sophomore Chantilly Watson) out for the year. This team, they have a lot of heart and they have a lot of pride. That’s a starting point. We’ve discussed a lot on this team that the seniors are laying a foundation for the future of our program. When they leave here, they will be a part of the reason this program continues to succeed and grow. That is our starting point, as well as learning the game, the offense and my terminology.”