After taking a seven-month break from volleyball during her sophomore year, experiencing staff changes and contributing to a positive shift in Virginia Tech volleyball’s culture, senior Anabel Zier leads the way in promoting a strong work ethic and team confidence.
Most recently, the team’s three-set win against Boston College boosts its overall record to 9-5 and was the squad’s first ACC sweep of the season.
“I think it’s helped us build our confidence a lot, especially coming off not as great of a season as we wanted last year,” Zier said about the season so far. “All the work we’ve put in this summer, and in the spring, has really shown this season, especially getting our first conference win.”
Zier explains that confidence remains a large part of the team’s ability to win, explaining how easy it is to slip into a challenging mental space after a loss. Specifically, she explains how head coach Marci Byers reminds the team to mentally place themselves in a better position to win.
“I think the biggest thing for us is our confidence individually and as a team,” Zier said. “Like, confidence and trust in our skills that we are good enough – confidence that we can win and have the ability to win games, because that’s something that we lacked in the past. So, I think it’s kind of shifting that mindset that we don’t have to let them roll over us and lose. We don’t have to do that. We can win.”
Most recently, the team’s three-set win against Boston College boosts its overall record to 9-5 and was the squad’s first ACC sweep of the season.
“I think it’s helped us build our confidence a lot, especially coming off not as great of a season as we wanted last year,” Zier said about the season so far. “All the work we’ve put in this summer, and in the spring, has really shown this season, especially getting our first conference win.”
Zier explains that confidence remains a large part of the team’s ability to win, explaining how easy it is to slip into a challenging mental space after a loss. Specifically, she explains how head coach Marci Byers reminds the team to mentally place themselves in a better position to win.
“I think the biggest thing for us is our confidence individually and as a team,” Zier said. “Like, confidence and trust in our skills that we are good enough – confidence that we can win and have the ability to win games, because that’s something that we lacked in the past. So, I think it’s kind of shifting that mindset that we don’t have to let them roll over us and lose. We don’t have to do that. We can win.”
Taking a Step Back
However, lack of confidence can also stem from something deeper. During COVID-19, the team experienced a rough patch, losing players not only due to COVID-19 but also because of mental health. Particularly, Zier recalls a rise in mental health struggles during COVID-19.
During her sophomore season, Zier decided that she needed to step away from the court and focus on getting better, citing coming back stronger in the spring as one of her proudest career moments.
Zier now uses her experiences to help others struggling with mental health and encourages them to get help.
“I think it’s hard for people to even admit that there’s something going on outside of volleyball that they need to take care of,” Zier said about the fears surrounding getting help. “And it’s even harder for someone to give up something that they love to focus on themselves. So, just letting people know that it’s okay to take a step away. You’ll have support and no one’s going to judge you or think differently of you, and your sport’s…
However, lack of confidence can also stem from something deeper. During COVID-19, the team experienced a rough patch, losing players not only due to COVID-19 but also because of mental health. Particularly, Zier recalls a rise in mental health struggles during COVID-19.
During her sophomore season, Zier decided that she needed to step away from the court and focus on getting better, citing coming back stronger in the spring as one of her proudest career moments.
Zier now uses her experiences to help others struggling with mental health and encourages them to get help.
“I think it’s hard for people to even admit that there’s something going on outside of volleyball that they need to take care of,” Zier said about the fears surrounding getting help. “And it’s even harder for someone to give up something that they love to focus on themselves. So, just letting people know that it’s okay to take a step away. You’ll have support and no one’s going to judge you or think differently of you, and your sport’s…
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