The next days two days is all about preparation for the Lady Bisons third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament.
The three time A-Sun Champions will play No. 16 ranked Texas A&M one Thursday, and head coach Brandon Rosenthal is thrilled about the draw.
“I thought it was a great draw for us. We don’t know that much about them but they don’t know that much about us,” Rosenthal said. “We are excited about the new opportunity about playing someone different and get to do a little bit of traveling.”
This will be the team’s first trip to the Lonestar State and the team’s first tournament outside the state of Ohio. Seeing that this is the Bisons first time playing the Aggies, Rosenthal says the strategy that will be used during the match is defense.
“We have done well over the past five years using hard nose defense,” Rosenthal said. “Once you get through that the speed of the game will be big for us and for the speed we are going to have to pass well. We build this team on defense.”
The Lady Bisons’ third NCAA appearance is just another step forward for the program. Out of the last five years this year marks the fourth year making a NCAA appearance. These feats have made larger programs take note to how serious Lipscomb is about making a quality program and Rosenthal gives credit to just good hard work from the players.
“The message is getting out is what [we] are all about and t that is we are a good quality program,” Rosenthal said. “We talk about the difference between building a team and building a program. Teams you rebuild every year. I don’t think with a good program you do that, you bring people in to fill in the spot.”
Outside of competing in the NCAA tournament Rosenthal’s plan for the team while in Texas is to enjoy the experience.
“We have to get some work done but at the same time it’s really about enjoying the experience, our first time in the tournament in 2007 we so focus on the game that we realize not many people experience this,” Rosenthal said. “Less than one percent of student athletes actually make it to a NCAA tournament. I think it’s important that they enjoy and look back and say I had that opportunity.”
The Lady Bisons play the Aggies this Thursday night at 7pm.