In part 2 of our chat with Coach Degenais we talk about the future of Ladies Volleyball at UCF and building an elite winning program that can become a leader in Conference USA and a major contender Nationally.
SFVR: It looks like your going to have a young team for the 2009 season. What are your expectations for next year?
DAGENAIS: I think we will probably be young for a few seasons as we balance out our roster. We are trying to create a situation where we can sustain success over several years. It’s easy to be a team that’s good one out of every four years, we are trying to be good three out of every four years…and yet be very competitive during our “down year”. It takes a few years to get this right. The goal is to have 3 scholarships in each recruiting class, two setters that are two-three years apart, and a solid middle blocker in each year of eligibility. Once we get all of these things balanced then we will be able to do so many things with recruiting and scholarships…especially in the libero position.
The team expects to be very competitive this year, and I share those expectations. Our days at the bottom of Conference USA are over. With those expectations comes the pressure of having to perform. Those athletes that handle the pressure the best will be put in the position of creating and shaping our future.
Now our goals will change:
1) Have a 20 win season
2) Lead Conference USA in at least two statistical categories
3) Earn an automatic bye in the conference tournament (top 4 teams)
4) Finish with an RPI of 75 or better
If we can do these things, then we will at least “be on the board” for NCAA Tournament Selection. It’s going to be tough though, there were not very many expectations of us in year #1, we will not be able to sneak up on anyone in year #2.
SFVR: What are the types of off-season conditioning that the team does to become better?
DAGENAIS: Tracy Prosser is our strength and condition coordinator. She is a no-nonsense “go getter”. Although the NCAA doesn’t allow college teams to practice year round, we definitely expect our athletes to stay in shape year round. I believe that being an athlete is not a “sometimes thing” it’s really more of a lifestyle. Either you are committed to it or you are not. Our players maintain a summer weight training, conditioning, and agility program that is monitored by Coach Prosser. Many of them do this program at home, or with their local club team. However, more and more of our athletes are electing to take summer school and stay together over the break. Those that stay get to work with the strength staff on campus. I really leave it up to the individual if they want to stay, or go home. I’m very supportive of those who want to spend the summer closer to family, as long as they don’t forget their commitment to our ultimate goals.
We work on our weight training in cycles. December is a recovery month. We completely shut down to allow our athletes time to rest and recover from the long season. We gradually build up during the month of January and work on specific areas of individual weakness or pervious injuries. When February rolls around, we are going at it pretty hard in the weight room. This is our one chance to build the muscle needed to prevent injuries during the season. We also do a great deal of core work, shoulder and knee strengthening, and agility training. In March and early April, we are really trying to max out in the weight room and with our conditioning. By May we begin to taper and move into more of a maintenance type program, but one that sill focuses on gains in all areas of our physical training. This continues through June and July as we prepare for pre-season. When August comes we are strictly in a maintenance type phase with low weight and explosive reps.
We will perform physical testing on our athletes in August at the start of the season, in December at the end of the season, in January when we come back from Holiday break and in April after all the heavy lifting. It’s not uncommon to see fluctuations of gain and loss during each of these phases. The whole goal is to be as explosive as possible during the regular season. I’m really not too interested in being the highest jumping team in March !!!
SFVR:Switching gears, I'm sure folks would like to know a little more about you. Now that you've moved to Orlando and are now settled in, how are you getting used to life in the Orlando area?
DAGENAIS:Love it ! I love the weather, my parents are only 2 hours away, and my mother-in-law is only an hour north. Orlando is just one of those cities where you have everything you could ever ask for, plus it’s one of the top cities in the nation to raise a family. We are actually very fortunate; our daughter was born with a genetic issue affecting her hearing. Some of the best care for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Communities is right here in Central Florida. She is getting incredible support in her formative years.
SFVR: What is your favorite amusement park in Orlando?
DAGENAIS: As a college student I worked in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. I was the boat driver on the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction. They took out the attraction years ago so most of your readers probably never sailed with Captain Nemo. I still get chills in the Hall of Presidents with Abraham Lincoln stands up to deliver the Gettysburg Address.
SFVR: What is your favorite Pro Team?
DAGENAIS: Green Bay Packers….I grew up 2 hours from Titletown! My dad once hired Green Bay starting quarterback Lynn Dickey to make an autograph appearance at a business function. He came to my house that night to watch a boxing match on HBO. I felt pretty cool that I was hanging out with the QB of the Green Bay Packers in my basement! We grew up huge Detroit Red Wing fans too, Jocelyn was born during their successful Stanley Cup run!
Thanks a bunch for sharing with us so much of your knowledge on Volleyball, your experiences and future plans with UCF. When we have the opportunity to speak with the great coaches that have national and international experience; that have an intense passion and knowledge for the game and are leading the Universities in Florida it make us excited about Volleyball in our great state.
In Part 3 of the interview with Coach Dagenais, (Wednesday, February 25th) we ask him to rank the Top 5 Volleyball States in our Nation. In addition we ask him a few recruiting questions and the ability to play for UCF as a walk-on.
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