Matador Volleyball to strive for Clarksville

The Arizona Western Matadors want to build upon their success after last year's fantastic season.

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Western Matadors are all business this season.

After making it all the way to the region finals the past four seasons, including a district finals appearance last year, they want to compete in Clarksville, Tennessee for the NJCAA National Championship.

"We want to be at that national tournament, we want to win the conference, we want to win the region and make a run at that district game, and that's where we've been every year, right at that district match," said Coach Lorayne Chandler. "This is the year that we want to push past that and get to the national tournament."

Getting to Clarksville is easier said than done though, especially when there's a lot of turnover in players. AWC does a great job of sending athletes to bigger schools to continue their playing career, so it can be tough when there's a revolving door of new faces. Looming injuries don't help either.

"We lost our player of the year last year, our Labero of the Year, so we've replaced her with somebody that we think is going to be able to come in and do a really great job," Coach Chandler said. "We have a sophomore that had a season ending injury last year, so she's back with us."

Luckily, players on the team understand the intensity, energy and skills required to reach new heights. One of them is Sophomore Setter Nehir Erimez.

"We decided to play a little more faster game and more like as a team," Erimez said. "We're gonna be like more talkative communicators and energizers."

Bringing energy and having constant communication are keys to success on the court, but it's important to build chemistry off the court as well. Larrynn Joesph-Rodrigues, a Sophomore Outside Hitter for the Matadors, believes connections have to extend off the court.

"On and off the court, we're always bonding with each other," Joseph-Rodrigues said. "We're always talking about things. We're always keeping in touch."

Whether they're on the court or off the court, it is certain that the Lady Matadors are going to come into this season with conviction.

The road to Clarksville will begin August 21 as the Matadors host a tournament in The House.