MOSCOW, Idaho ? The University of Idaho volleyball team used a successful spring campaign to build confidence as it heads into the 2008 season. The success was not measured in wins and losses, rather in improvements as the team plans to contend for the Western Athletic Conference title.

“Overall, we took a really positive step forward,” Idaho coach Debbie Buchanan said. “We have had our core group together for a while now, but we got so much better in terms of fundamentals and consistency. Our passing is better, our defense is better, and things are really starting to click with our players. Two areas we have been weak in are blocking and passing and we took big steps in those areas.”

The Vandals played multiple games over the four weekends in April. The team competed at the Nike Tournament at Beaverton, Ore., before hosting six teams at the Idaho Spring Tournament the following weekend. The spring schedule rounded out with games at a tournament hosted by Portland State and a scrimmage at Gonzaga. The games gave the Vandals an early opportunity to adjust to a NCAA rule change that has all games being played to 25 points instead of 30 points beginning with the 2008 season.

“One of the best things about the spring for us was playing games to 25 points,” Buchanan said. “Those five points make a big difference. You can't wait; you have to get it done.

“It was also nice to see the progress we made each weekend. Our performance was night-and-day from the first weekend to the scrimmage at Gonzaga. That was very encouraging to see how much we improved in such a short period of time,” Buchanan said.

While she felt everyone played well and improved, Buchanan made special mention of the efforts of senior setter Kelsey James and junior outside hitter Sarah Conwell.

“Kelsey really improved her understanding of playing from the center position and this spring was probably the best we have seen Sarah play since she has been here,” Buchanan said.

Aside from the progress in the gym, Buchanan was also really impressed with the strides the team made in other important areas.

“Joe Herold, our strength and conditioning coach, did an amazing job,” Buchanan said. “We gained a lot of strength, we are moving better in the gym, we are performing better in drills, and we made great strides with our nutrition. It all contributed to becoming smarter and realizing what it takes to be a top-tier Division I team. Now we just need to sustain it through the summer and continue to grow from what we accomplished during the spring.”

The Vandals begin the 2008 season Aug. 29 vs. South Dakota State at a tournament hosted by Middle Tennessee State.

To view the complete 2008 Idaho volleyball schedule, click here 

To view the complete 2008 Idaho volleyball roster, click here