Over the past three years, the volleyball team has had its share of mountainous peaks and deep valleys. Different players, different coaches, different win-loss records. Senior outside hitter Dominique Philipp has experienced it all.
As a freshman in 1996, Philipp saw limited playing time on a squad that won 10 of its 16 ACC contests. Despite a plethora of seniors on the team the following year, her playing time dramatically increased, as she saw action in every match of the season.
Last year, however, was certainly a valley for both Philipp and the team. A junior at the time, Philipp sat out several matches and was often pulled by coach Linda Grensing for inconsistent play. The team did not fare much better, suffering its worst season in the last 15 years.
But things change.
This season, Philipp has been one of the team's sparkplugs. So, what is different about her play now? Confidence.
"The atmosphere now is such a positive one," Philipp said. "During a time out, instead of saying that she thinks we can do it, [coach Jolene Nagel] tells us that she knows we can do it. She really has faith in us.... It's a really positive thing when someone says, 'I believe in you.' You then just feel that much more confident about yourself."
Nagel has allowed her players to play and take some chances. Philipp is no longer afraid of being pulled after a mishit. This level of comfort has allowed Philipp to get off to an excellent start in this 1999 campaign.
Philipp and the other seniors were concerned at first that a new coach would come in and only look to the future, focusing on the younger players. But that has certainly not been the case.
"We were a little hesitant with the coaching change, but now we're so happy with all of our coaches," Philipp said. "They are one of the big reasons we are doing so well. But I also think credit goes to our team for really wanting to have a good season and play hard together."
Last season, the senior led the team in kills on two occasions. By contrast, she has already led the Blue Devils in kills five times in their first 10 games, and she leads the team in total kills with 127.
In the team's last match, Philipp had possibly her best showing yet, notching 20 kills while only committing one error. In addition, she only recorded one double-double in her first three years, while this season she has had two in the early going.
Philipp's numbers are even more impressive due to the fact that she had to switch from playing right outside hitter to left outside hitter this season, a position she had not played since high school.
"I needed to move her to the left side because that was really where she fit with our personnel," Nagel said. "I had a question regarding her ball control and her passing, but she has really come along nicely with those, working very hard and progressing all the time."
This hard work is another telling characteristic of Philipp. Despite having a tough season last year, she has returned to play some inspired volleyball for her team under the new coach.
Inspired volleyball, however, will not get the job done. She worked hard to improve her ball handling skills and passing, thus becoming a more reliable presence on the court.
"Dominique has always been a really hard worker and has been really focused on the court," Nagel said. "But she has gained more ball control and her hitting has certainly improved."
Philipp has recognized that, as a senior, the end is near. There will be no next season to improve. This is it for her.
"It's still pretty odd for us to be the seniors now," she said. "We still refer to Kristen [Campbell] and Mo [Reindl] and that group as 'The Seniors.' I just think we are all excited now that we are at this stage.
"This is my last chance to really play volleyball. It's weird for everything just to come to this point, so I obviously want to go out there and do the best I possibly can."
The Blue Devils have started ACC play in a positive manner, hanging with the favorite, Clemson, and defeating Florida State. The team will return to the floor at home tonight at 7:30 in another conference battle, this time versus Georgia Tech.
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