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Under new coach, Lions look for discipline

Photo provided by Finlandia University The Lions’ Nicole Anderson readies to deliver a serve during a match last season at the Paavo Nurmi Center.

HANCOCK — After spending some time working with club teams in Wisconsin and Illinois, new Finlandia Lions volleyball coach Cindy Cavanagh is ready for the challenge of NCAA Division III play. She brings with her a sense of discipline, something she believes the Lions will need in order to be successful quickly.

“Lots of discipline, structure, just a higher intensity is what they need still and instruction (on) how to play the game at a higher level, tactically and technically,” said Cavanagh.

Previously a Division III athlete herself, Cavanagh feels prepared to lead the Lions this season.

“I can understand what the girls are going through balancing school and sports,” said Cavanagh. “I love volleyball. I’ve played it since I was 15, so I think the passion I have for it and the understanding I have of the game, technically and tactically, will really help.”

Cavanagh hopes to influence the culture of the volleyball program and how FU plays their game.

“(I hope) bringing a culture change, showing them that they can do anything as long as they control their minds, having a little more mental resiliency (will help),” she said. “(I plan to be) pushing them past the point that they thought they could go (and) really help them have success.”

It did not take long for the new coach set measurements for her team.

“We sat down as a team and created goals,” she said. “We would definitely like to have a winning season. We would like to have better ball control so our passing (is) more consistent, and (better) communication with each other.

“We know it’s going to be tough… We know obviously in the past we’ve just never really had success so we want to really go out and demonstrate that Finlandia Volleyball is something to contend with.”

Six of the 12 players on this year’s team are in their final year at Finlandia and are fundamental to FU’s game play this season. The class includes twins in Nicole and Shannon Anderson, from Hancock.

There is also an underclassman, with a very familiar name to local fans, who could have a big impact this season.

“We’ve got six seniors and all six contribute in a great big way for us,” Cavanagh said. “I have a returning player who’s a sophomore, Kaisa (Holmstrom). She’s doing well for us. (With) this group, I’ve got 12 athletes and all 12 are going to really contribute because they’ve been grinding out (and) working hard.”

Every tournament and game is important in Cavanagh’s mind, but she is especially looking forward to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Preview Tournament on Sept. 7 and 8.

“Every game is crucial, so it’s (about) getting them to understand that even if we’re traveling to tournaments, those games aren’t just for nothing,” she said. “It all helps in our divisional ranking. It all helps in our national ranking for the next year.”

“We do go to Hope College (Michigan),” Cavanagh said. “They have a strong program. It’s going to be a strong tournament. It’s going to be fun to watch, but each tournament is so crucial that we just try to put our best foot forward and come out with the (win)s.”

Finlandia will travel to face Marian University on Aug. 31 to open the season at the Ripon Quadrangular.

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