SMCC Men's Volleyball Embraces Process in Year One
PHOENIX ---
The South Mountain Community College men's volleyball team has experienced some of the growing pains associated with the first year of an intercollegiate athletics sport. Players have come and gone. The schedule is filled primarily with four-year universities that boast better resources and more experience. And through it all, the Cougars and head coach Patrick Mooney would not want it any other way.
"The seven student-athletes we have left have been phenomenal," said Mooney, a longtime volleyball coach who ran the SMCC women's program for more than a decade. "They are the survivors of the first year of a program. I cannot give them any more kudos for sticking it out and being tough. They have learned a lot about themselves individually and as a group."
SMCC played five home matches in February and won a set in contests with Park-Gilbert on Feb. 1 and Feb. 15. The Cougars have also faced Arizona Christian University, Benedictine-Mesa and Ottawa University (AZ).
"It has been a wild ride. We have worked hard and are facing a lot of four-year universities," said freshman Chris Mann. "I think people don't understand that we are facing tougher teams and doing well against them. Coach Mooney pushes us in the gym and the classroom, and we continue to work as hard as possible on and off the court."
That work ethic is apparent to anyone who has seen SMCC play. Despite their youth and relative inexperience, the Cougars have pride in their effort and output in competition. A common theme emerged in how this developed: Coach Mooney.
"Coach has taught us a lot about drive and to continue fighting no matter what the situation is, whether it is on the court or in life," Mann added.
"It has been awesome playing at SMCC with these guys," said freshman John Engelbert. "We are outnumbered, and it makes it tough, but we are a resilient team. I never set in high school, and now I am doing it in college. I have learned a lot more about the game of volleyball than I thought I would."
Mooney has enjoyed working with the group as well.
"It has been fantastic. We have developed a culture of fighting and giving it your all. There is no team out there that we think we can't beat. I am more than thrilled with our effort, and we need to stick with our process," Mooney added.
March provides a few more opportunities for the Cougars to continue growing and establishing the program. Their last home contest is slated for Wednesday, Mar. 9, against the Grand Canyon University Club Team.
"Coach Mooney instills in us to trust the process. If something isn't working, stick with the process," said freshman Tareek Washington.
No matter the results, the SMCC men's volleyball team will continue to grind and establish a culture for the future. It's all part of the process.