Mental Toughness Blooms in Spring Action

Mental Toughness Blooms in Spring Action

April 12, 2016

IOWA CITY, Iowa — With a pair of spring tournaments under its belt, the University of Iowa volleyball team is committed to building its mental toughness this spring.

“We continue to work to establish our true mental toughness,” said UI head coach Bond Shymansky. “Our team is investing deeply in the process right now.”

After sweeping its spring-opening tournament at Northern Illinois on April 2, Iowa continued its spring slate at the Iowa State Spring Tournament on April 9. The Hawkeyes faced four teams at the one-day tournament. Iowa started the day splitting a pair of sets with Northern Iowa and sweeping North Dakota State, 2-0. The Hawkeyes rounded out the afternoon with tight matches against Creighton and Iowa State.

“Some days we have to learn through playing ugly,” said Shymansky. “Spring is the time to develop younger players, expand existing roles, and challenge our group far beyond our comfort zone. We didn’t get the results we wanted, but it taught us that we need to work hard at the preparation and process every day of the training week.”

The Hawkeyes round out the spring schedule at the Northern Iowa Tournament on April 16. Iowa will take on South Dakota, Northern Illinois, North Dakota State, Kansas State, Northern Iowa, and Iowa State at the one-day tournament in Cedar Falls, Iowa.