The 2019-20 season was a bright one for the Cascades women’s volleyball team. New coaches, players, and staff propelled them through their transitional season, as the team played their final season in the PacWest conference before moving to the Canada West conference for U Sports, the highest level of Canadian-based university athletics.
When it comes to what has changed, Amanda Matsui, the Cascades’ star outside hitter, is quick to reference the new full-time staff that came with volleyball’s transition at UFV, specifically the hiring of Janelle Rozema in 2019 as the Cascades’ new women’s volleyball head coach.
“I think the biggest thing is us having a full-time coach now,” said Matsui.
On a more individual level, the season signalled Matsui’s third year with the Cascades, which was different compared to previous seasons.
“I think just how it feels going from a first year to a third year. I know it’s not that crazy of a jump, but I feel like the girls who I’ve been with from my first year to the third year, it felt different just because we’re older, more confident.”
Matsui also saw changes in her role as a leader, now that she is in her third year: “For me personally, the reverse of me looking up to somebody versus new people coming in and maybe looking up to me was both awesome and challenging at the same time.”
It’s fitting that while Matsui deals with her transition as a player, the program is also changing. All year long the team has battled to win while simultaneously preparing to move to the PacWest conference from next season onward. Rozema, one of UFV Athletics’ newest hires, has really helped the team as their new head coach by introducing new coaching methods and being there consistently as a full-time staff member.
Matsui spoke highly of Rozema and the fact that this year was the first time she has ever been coached by a woman.
“I think it’s different having a girl coach you. This was actually the first time I’ve ever been coached by a woman, so I was pretty nervous about it at first too.”
“There’s just something different about having a strong lady coach young ladies, if that makes sense. I just feel like she’s so good at connecting with us and finding the way to motivate us, from woman to woman. She’s super passionate about coaching strong women and creating strong women out of her players, so I think that’s been a big difference too.”
There’s no doubt that the changing of staff helped the team grow, as they surpassed last season’s heights and won the bronze medal at the PacWest conference championships. With players like Matsui raising their games, the Cascades look set to debut for Canada West this upcoming season.
Image: UFV Athletics
Photo: Amanda Matsui
