The Dave Boos era starts tonight when the Ball State University women's volleyball team plays the University of Maine. Maine is the first of the Cardinals three matches this weekend in Ball State's Active Ankle Challenge.
The Cardinals will play Southeast Missouri State followed by No. 16 Ohio State University to end the tournament Ball State hosts.
Ball State enters the season with six freshmen and five sophomores on its 14-player roster. The remaining three players are seniors Angie Parrell and Brittany May and transfer junior Christine Kennedy.
"I think that Brittany and I can provide the team with experience and our knowledge of what a preseason tournament means and how important it is for the future," Parrell said. "We can really help to ease the freshmen's minds of the first games nerves and help them understand what it is like to play in front of a home crowd."
Boos has his lineup set for the first match. However, he's keeping it a secret from anyone not on the team.
"I'm not going to say it for the benefits of our starting opponents, but we do know our starting lineup," Boos said. "So come that first match against Maine I guess we will see what it is."
One freshman who is sure to start is Alyssa Rio. She has secured the libero position and will don the red jersey associated with the position. In an alumni match Saturday, Rio had five serving aces and a team-high 26 digs. Rio said she is ready for the first game.
"I'm pretty confident," Rio said. "It still is going to be a little nerve racking because I am a freshman who is playing ... It will be nerve racking but hopefully I can do it."
Ball State averaged 366 fans per game last season, however, Rio said she is prepared for the noise.
"I have played in big matches before so I'm trying to make myself realize that so I'm not nervous and not thinking 'Oh my God I'm a freshman playing,'" Rio said. "I actually like when there are a lot of fans there. I'm not really too nervous about that."
The Active Ankle Challenge presents an opportunity for a team with a new coach and new scheme to make a statement to the Ball State community that this isn't last year's 12-18 team.
"I think it is really important for us to pick up some wins this weekend first off to establish ourselves in this community and this school but also to really get these fans and new fans excited about our program," Parrell said. "Maybe some new people will come to game for the first and watch us win this weekend and kind of become new fans."
Boos said this weekend isn't so much about winning but just getting to see what level his team is at right now.
"I don't think it's going to be indicative of how our season will go positively or negatively," Boos said. "It's more about where we are right now. A team like Ohio State is going to show you weaknesses that your own team won't."
That doesn't mean Boos wouldn't prefer to win.
"You always want to win at home ... I think our team really wants to put on a good show for our fans and really get the local community to fall in love with this team," Boos said. "This team will be fun to watch, and a team that is going to be having a great time out there and the fans can celebrate with us."
Boos said it's likely Rio won't be the only freshman on the floor.
With many players getting their first taste of Division I volleyball this weekend for Ball State, Boos said he expects some jitters. Boos said all he wants is to see what he sees everyday in practice.
"I'm looking to get our team to perform the way we do in the practice gym," Boos said. "Which is a new challenge when you play at home, in front of a home crowd you put yourselves on display."
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