The USW Volleyball team is preparing to begin the 2021 season. They will open the season with 4 matches in two days in Hutchinson, Kansas August 20^th and 21^st. They will play Southwestern College (Kan.), Avila University (MO.), Bethel College (KS), York College (NEB.) in the four matches. The lady Mustangs come off a season in which they finished 6-10 overall and 3-3 in the conference and lost in the RRAC tournament final. Coach Cass Smith enters her first season as the head coach of the volleyball program after spending last season as an assistant coach for the team. 
 
When asked about expectations for the season coach Smith said "We expect to put USW on the map and stay in the top 3 of the conference, and onward, athletically and academically. We are striving to create a legacy that we can grow and have fun with. We want it all."
 
In regards to some of the familiar faces we can expect to see this year Smith had this to say in regards to her key returners "Coming back we have current RRAC Conference Defender of the Year Autumn Lopez, RRAC Newcomer of the Year Kennedy McRuffin, and All-Tournament Conference Team recipient Alexia Esparza. They are our captains who lead by example, they help maintain accountability and establish an environment where hard work and passion thrive." These three should make a big impact after being big parts of a team that lost in the conference tournament final. 
 
As far as incoming players that Smith expects to make a big impact she said "Some new faces that I know will shake up the conference are transfer junior Valeria "Vale" Trevino, transfer junior Fesili "Sili" Masaniai, and freshman setter Alissa Mancera. Their experience and technique bring maturity to the team and allow us to play at a higher level of volleyball." 
 
Coach Smith is excited for this year and beyond because in her words "We have a very special group of young women who all hope to achieve the same goal.  They are intelligent, athletic, and great kids.  It is an honor to be their coach.  We won't settle for anything less than what we are capable of and I know there is greatness ahead of us."
 
This team has big goals for the upcoming season and fans will be able to come to check them out at their first home game in a scrimmage against UTPB, August 24^th at 5:00 PM MST in the Jack & Mabel Student Life Center here on campus.