(Photo courtesy of Sandy Warner Sports Photography)

 

A phrase you hear a lot these days regarding teams in transition is "changing the culture".

 

In fact, between reading about, watching and occasionally writing about sports teams, I'd say the "it's-time-to-change-the-culture" call to arms is fast becoming a sports cliché - a topic I once wrote about in a column for another publication.

 

Ever wonder why clichés become clichés?

 

I think it's because they usually contain a kernel or two of wisdom that's useful or meaningful. So much so, they eventually become overused.

 

Having said all that, there's no question that the University of Waterloo women's volleyball team, led by head coach Richard Eddy, has changed its culture. And in the process, Eddy and his squad changed something else: the end results.

 

The team's 2018-2019 breakout season is a testament to that.

 

Not only did the Warriors enjoy their most productive regular season in program history (17-2), they hosted the OUA Final Four and captured a bronze medal. They also created a noticeable buzz on campus and in the volleyball community and not surprisingly, earned a number of significant year-end awards.

 

Eddy was named U Sports' volleyball coach of the year (another first for the program) while first-year right side hitter Sarah Glynn (Fredericton) was selected U Sports' rookie of the year. Glynn had previously been named an OUA West first team all-star along with Claire Mackenzie (Vancouver), who achieved all-star status for the third consecutive season.

 

Preston High School grad Claire Gagne, a third year setter, was a second team selection while Ella Stewart (Ottawa) joined Glynn on the all-rookie squad.

 

Is it any wonder that the Warriors were crowned OUA team of the year?

 

Obviously not - but let's circle back to that "changing the culture" theme for a moment.

 

Gagne, a three year veteran of the program, is a firm believer in its importance.

 

"For me, the culture that Richard has tried to bring in is all about being a high performance person in all aspects of life."

 

"With respect to school, it's planning out your time accordingly so you're not only efficient in your studies but also have enough time to give your best effort in obtaining the highest achievement possible. For example, we have a goal of attaining 80 % over the course of the year and also increasing the number of Academic All-Canadians on our team."

 

"With respect to volleyball, it's things like having the proper pre-practice meal to optimize our practice time; doing pre-practice mindset preparation; doing pre-game mindset, body and video preparation; always having post-workout protein; and more."

 

"All these things are important in becoming a high performance athlete and are necessary to achieve the goals we want to achieve."

 

Striving for excellence at all times in all aspects of life is the cornerstone of the Warrior/Eddy way.

 

 "As a big picture, it's organizing school, volleyball, workouts, family and friends all in a high performance manner so we're able to give our all in each aspect of life" says Gagne.

 

 "The phrase 'How you do anything is how you do everything' comes up a lot."

 

Glynn, the super-frosh who had an outstanding season (3.34 kills per set; 23 blocks; 26 service aces), agrees wholeheartedly with Gagne.

 

"Being a first year player, I came onto a team that had already established a hardworking and disciplined team culture."

 

"Richard and the upper-year players did an amazing job leading our team this past year. They instilled in us the values of a winning team which we'll be able to carry with us throughout the rest of our time as Warriors."

 

For Eddy, it all starts with establishing the proper mindset which he explained as we chatted in his office on campus.

 

"You basically either have a fixed mindset in which you believe that this is as far as we can go and this is as much as we can achieve or you adopt a growth mindset where your driving force is the desire to improve each and every day."

 

"It's that belief that if we keep putting in this work every day; if we continue to learn from our losses and learn from our failures; that we're eventually going to overcome these obstacles and ultimately, we'll come out on top."

 

If you think some of what Eddy and his players talk about sounds more akin to a philosophy class than a volleyball program, I'm with you.

 

Then again, isn't that how a new team culture begins to evolve - with a core philosophy?

 

I asked Eddy how difficult it was to take over a 4-15, non-playoff team with none of your own recruits in the building yet and make it into something that fits your vision.

 

"It was hard" he said with a smile. "Very hard at first."

 

"But step one is doing the best you can with what you have and demonstrating that to others."

 

"In order to succeed, you ultimately have to have allies in the coaching community who can help convince quality players that you have something to offer."

 

It was far from an overnight success story. Under Eddy's five-year tenure as head coach, the Warriors regular season record went as follows: 5-14, 7-12, 9-10 (made the playoffs for the first time in 9 years), 8-11 (made playoffs again despite losing a top player to injury) and finally, 17-2 and the bronze medal.

 

I wondered if the outstanding academic reputation the University of Waterloo enjoys is a double-edge sword from a recruiting point of view, i.e. - some recruits are attracted to the school because of its academic reputation and programs while other talented players, who may be interested, are unable to meet the admission requirements.

 

"Every school has a competitive advantage of some kind. The key is to find out what yours is and then make sure that you build a recruiting plan around attracting the type of student-athletes you're likely to get."

 

"At a place like UW, it's really important that the culture is one that values academics just as much as athletics. And fortunately for us, there seems to be a high correlation between academic success and female volleyball players."

 

I asked Glynn, who hails from Eastern Canada, why she chose UW in particular and whether it has met her expectations.

 

"I got the chance to visit the university last winter and I liked everything about it" she said.

 

"The team’s energy, the campus, and the fact that it’s very much a university-oriented city with Laurier being just down the street. The University of Waterloo also provides an excellent academic experience."

 

 "Being here is exactly what I expected. Although we’re busy with school and volleyball, we still find time for fun and that balance is perfect."

 

Gagne echoed a similar sentiment regarding the "homey feel" of UW.

 

"I honestly love how the whole campus is mostly within the ring road. It really feels like a community and being from a smaller area, it made me feel like it was the best place for me to grow and develop. Not only as an individual and in my schooling but also in regard to my volleyball aspirations."

 

 "I've wanted to come to UW since I was a kid anyway but the goals of the team and the whole culture really tied the knot."

 

There's that "culture" word again.

 

It's clear that these three  (and the rest of the team) were disappointed with their semifinal loss to Toronto. Especially in front of a boisterous crowd in their home gym.

 

But true to form and philosophy, Eddy and his troops stuck to their "growth mindset", regrouped, and the following day came away with a medal.

 

So what does all of this mean for next year and the ultimate goal of making it to nationals?

 

No one knows for sure - but I, for one, wouldn't bet against them.