ASU Beach Volleyball Aims for National title After Historic Season

TEMPE, Ariz. — The Arizona State beach volleyball team is poised for a championship run after a record-breaking 2024 season. Building on the momentum of their best year in program history, the Sand Devils are setting their sights on a national title.

Coach Kristen Glattfelder, in her second year at ASU, has spearheaded a remarkable turnaround. she inherited a team that finished below .500 and transformed it into a playoff contender.You have to play the best to be the best and I think that’s going to be a big indicator of where we’re at and what areas we need to improve on, Glattfelder said. We have to be mentally tough, and we’re going to have to battle through the ups and downs and be OK with a little bit of failure at times to learn from it.

Their journey begins Thursday at the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Classic in Hawaii, a challenging tournament featuring six teams ranked in the top 10 last year, including reigning champion USC. The team’s first-round exit in the 2024 NCAA Championship fuels their determination. We want to go back and make some more noise,compete for a national championship because we kind of have a chip on our shoulders now and we want to go back in the tournament and prove ourselves, Glattfelder stated.

Last season’s 21 wins, the most in ASU history, included 11 victories against ranked opponents—a meaningful jump from the 13 total ranked wins in the program’s history prior to Glattfelder’s arrival. This success earned Glattfelder the Pac-12 Coach of the Year award. Her coaching expertise extends beyond ASU; during her eight years at Grand Canyon University, her teams were ranked in seven of those seasons, culminating in the Lopes’ first playoff appearance and the AVCA Coach of the Year award in 2022. She also mentored Molly Turner, a future professional player.

Glattfelder’s decision to move to ASU was driven by the program’s supportive surroundings and the possibility to build a winning culture. When you have people who are bought into what you’re doing, want to work hard, want to be accomplished, and want to be a part of something special, it ends up working itself out, she explained.

The intricacies of beach volleyball, a duos game with five pairs competing together, demand versatility. With a 20-player roster, there are 190 possible pairings, highlighting the importance of team chemistry. A pair could look great on paper and then you put them together and you’re like, well, that didn’t really work out well, but I think it’s about seeing what we have as a whole, piecing together to figure out how to have five really solid pairs so they can connect and work together, Glattfelder noted.

Senior Anya Pemberton and junior Daniella Kensinger exemplify the team’s success. They began last season with a 4-0 start, showcasing their strong partnership. kensinger, who grew up near manhattan Beach, California, the mecca of beach volleyball, became ASU’s first All-American as a sophomore and earned Pac-12 First Team honors after transferring from Saint Mary’s. Kristen (Glattfelder) believes in all of us, Kensinger said. She knows the depth that our roster has, and she knows that all of us have the potential to make a huge impact, everyone has a role on the team, and I think she’s defined that for us.

Pemberton’s transformation under Glattfelder is equally remarkable. After a challenging sophomore season with a 4-15 record, she rebounded to a 17-12 record last year. When she came, I felt like practise felt a lot more competitive in terms of the culture than it was the year before, Pemberton said. And then going into the season last year, I felt a lot more mentally prepared than I was my sophomore year, calmer and being calm for me is the biggest thing that is helping me.

Glattfelder’s leadership, marked by intensity, readiness, and unwavering support, has fostered a winning culture. We bring a lot of competitive nature and that starts in practice, we have so much talent, and we’ve nurtured a culture that’ll set apart this season from last, Kensinger concluded.

ASU Beach Volleyball’s Strategic Path to a National Championship: An Expert Insight

Interview with Dr. Laura Fitzgerald, Expert in Collegiate sports progress

editor: ASU Beach Volleyball’s recent historic season has set a new precedent for collegiate beach volleyball programs.What do you believe accounts for such a remarkable turnaround under Coach Kristen glattfelder?

Dr. Fitzgerald: The conversion of a collegiate sports team,especially in a niche like beach volleyball,hinges on several critical factors: dynamic leadership,strategic fitness training,and a strong,collective mindset.Coach Glattfelder has redefined ASU’s approach by fostering an environment where players are encouraged to take ownership of their growth and learn from their experiences on the court. By emphasizing not just skill development but also mental resilience, she’s built a formidable team that not only competes but thrives under pressure.

Editor: The intricate setup of beach volleyball, with it’s requirement for five duos to perform synergistically, poses a unique challenge. how do coaches like Glattfelder navigate this complexity?

Dr. Fitzgerald: The essence of beach volleyball coaching lies in understanding the dynamics of every possible pairing, which, with a 20-player roster, results in 190 potential combinations. It’s about more than assessing individual talent; it’s about crafting a cohesive unit. Glattfelder’s prowess is evident in her ability to identify and refine these pairings based on in-game chemistry. Training sessions are deliberately structured to explore these dynamics, focusing on adaptability, interaction, and teamwork.

Editor: ASU’s standout players like Anya Pemberton and Daniella Kensinger have been pivotal. How do individual journeys contribute to the team’s overall success?

Dr. Fitzgerald: Individual transformation is the cornerstone of team success. Pemberton, for instance, transformed her gameplay drastically from her sophomore year to becoming a key player, a change attributed to a more competitive and supportive practice culture introduced by Glattfelder. Kensinger’s growth, following strategic insights from Glattfelder, showcases how personalized coaching can align individual strengths with team strategy. These journeys highlight the importance of bespoke development plans within team environments.

Key Takeaways

• Dynamic Leadership: Transformative coaching prioritizes mental resilience and player ownership.
• Complex Pairing Dynamics: Success in beach volleyball is rooted in understanding and optimizing player combinations.
• Individual and Team Growth: Personalized development plans foster individual excellence that drives team success.

Editor: What can other collegiate sports programs learn from ASU Beach Volleyball’s success?

Dr. Fitzgerald: ASU’s journey serves as a masterclass in strategic planning and execution. Key lessons include the importance of a supportive team environment,the necessity for continuous mental and physical training,and the value of leadership that inspires and challenges. Programs should focus on cultivating a culture where every player feels integral to the team’s success, thus driving collective achievement.

Editor: Looking ahead, what do you foresee for ASU Beach Volleyball as they aim for a national championship?

Dr. Fitzgerald: ASU Beach Volleyball seems poised for continued success. Their trajectory indicates potential for not only breaking records but also setting new benchmarks in collegiate beach volleyball. Their strategic approaches, strong leadership, and robust team dynamics suggest they will remain a formidable force, perhaps reshaping the landscape for future generations.

conclusion: ASU Beach Volleyball’s rise to prominence illustrates the power of transformative leadership and strategic team building. As they head into the upcoming season, their focus on mental toughness and dynamic teamwork positions them as serious contenders for the national title.