The Virginia volleyball team lives and dies by three fundamental rules: always get better, treat each team the same way and focus on one match - even one point - at a time.
These three simple rules were first installed when coach Lee Maes signed on with the program before the 2008 season. Since then, Maes has incorporated a cut-and-dry system that deviates little from these guidelines.
"I think that [Maes] is very consistent in what he does," senior outside hitter Lauren Dickson said.
Maes preaches how vital it is to always improve.
"We're always going to be a work in progress," Maes said after the team captured the Jefferson Cup title earlier this season. "We're never going to be satisfied and we're not going to settle."
The Cavaliers continually look for weaknesses even after a victory like the one earned at their first home tournament. After each game, the team identifies areas of concern on which to concentrate during the week of practice before to its next match.
"Our focus is primarily on how we can improve," Maes said.
With a schedule full of big names - Nebraska, Northern Iowa, Texas A&M, UCLA and Florida State, just to name a few - it seems as though the Cavaliers might gear up for playing such high-caliber teams differently. But Virginia refuses to psyche itself out, keeping its approach constant regardless of the opponent.
"We'll definitely be preparing just as we've done for any of the matches," freshman middle hitter Jessica O'Shoney said before last weekend's match against No. 18 Florida State.
Even though the Cavaliers go into each match with the same mindset, they must remember one important guideline: Practice with their opponent's strengths and strategies in mind.
"We're going to spend this week in preparation for some of the things that we can expect they're going to stress us with," Maes said before the team's match against in-state rival Virginia Tech in the Marriott Cavalier Invitational.
Most importantly, Virginia always takes its season one game at a time. The Cavaliers even refuse to look a single set ahead, taking their matches point by point.
"Our goal as it is for every match is to give ourselves an opportunity to win every point first and foremost," Maes said. "If we get to the mentality of focusing on winning one point at a time, we feel that it will allow us to not look ahead. If we are competitive for every single point, we'll have a chance to win every single set and have a chance to win each match."
Despite a losing 1-2 record in conference play thus far, the Cavaliers are optimistic about bouncing back. Practicing these three basic principles, Maes and his squad hope to refocus and emerge a strong contender in the highly competitive ACC.
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