Photo by: Chase Cochran | Samford Athletics
Samford Sports Wrap Up: Keylor Chan
11.19.21 | Women's Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- Today we continue the Samford Sports Wrap Up, Presented by Alabama Power, a series highlighting Samford's coaches and staff throughout the academic year. Today's edition will feature head volleyball coach Keylor Chan.
The volleyball team will host the Southern Conference Tournament this weekend in the Pete Hanna Center. Samford has won six-straight matches entering the tournament to earn the No. 3 seed for the event. Samford posted an 8-3 record at home this season, including an 8-0 mark in conference home games.
"For this group, being at home has been huge for us," Chan said. "We've gotten healthy at the right time, started playing some good volleyball at the right time. So, we had a confluence of some really good things happening at the end of the year and hopefully we're playing our best volleyball when it matters most."
While the Bulldogs had an impressive home record this season, the team posted a 1-10 record in road contests. Chan talked about what factors contributed to the disparity in records at home versus on the road.
"Just a lot of little things I think caught us and it just happened to be timing, injuries," Chan said. "The opponents we played away were really hard non-conference opponents. And then in conference, we had to play a whole bunch of matches away early in the season when we were kind of banged up. Then we got kids healthy, and we only had two road trips at the end of the year, really in the last six weeks. For sure, being at home matters to this group. We're just lucky that we get to host this year."
Chan said confidence is also a big factor in the turnaround his team has experienced this season after a slow start.
"This year I've learned quite a bit about coaching in certain ways," Chan said. "Confidence is a real thing. It's kind of ethereal, it's hard to quantify and it's hard to give people confidence. But it is an art, you've got to learn how to do it. I think we've been fortunate and navigated that well, and I think our group has some good mojo going into the weekend that matters most here this weekend."
The SoCon postseason awards were released earlier this week. Kenya McQuirter was named first team All-SoCon, and Lauren Deaton earned second team All-SoCon honors. Additionally, Kate Wonus was named to the SoCon's All-Freshman team.
"I'm really proud that those three young ladies were recognized," Chan said. "However, the most important thing for us is us as a volleyball program always playing our best volleyball at the end of the year and trying to do something special. That's really what our biggest focus is going to be on."
Samford will open the SoCon Tournament against the No. 6 seed ETSU. The teams split their two regular-season meetings, with the home team winning both matches. Chan talked about the challenges of meeting a team for the third time in the same season.
"The good thing is, everyone has to deal with it," Chan said. "The thing is you know each other pretty well, and it really comes down to execution now. We liked our game plan both times and one time we executed and one time we didn't. That's really going to be the margin for success."
Chan also talked about what Samford fans can expect to see in the matchup with ETSU.
"We know we're going to have to do a really good job stopping both of their opposites," Chan said. "We think they're probably going to play a six-two, they've kind of been flipping in and out all year. But (Sara) Esposito is a really excellent player, she's a senior, we've seen her a lot. And then their other opposite, who's a lefty, she's kind of been spotty playing, but every time they've put her in, she's torn us up, so we're expecting she'll get some playing time. They're kind of veteran-laden too, they're a little bit like Greensboro. They've even brought in some transfers that no one knew much about, they're older girls that know how to play the game. We're going to have to play really well, so it's going to be a good match."
This season there has been a lot of parity in the Southern Conference. There has not been a lot of separation between teams in the standings. Chan talked about the parity in the league this season.
"The records do kind of signify the parity that is going on in the conference and the level of play," Chan said. "I think that what's going to be exciting for the SoCon fans is literally anyone on any night, and really it's whoever's playing the best team volleyball together. Everyone's shown that they're vulnerable and they can win. It's going to be a really interesting weekend and we're just hopeful and our goal is to be playing our best volleyball and the outcome will take care of itself."
In Chan's first five seasons as Samford's head coach, the Bulldogs have won four SoCon Tournament titles. When asked about all the winning his program has done, Chan credited the players on his teams.
"What it means to me I guess for the most part is and what makes my heart sing about volleyball and Samford and our program is the fact that our kids grow," Chan said. "The winning is an outshoot of the growth of the individuals and our team. These kids are easy to coach. The girls really make it worthwhile. They're wonderful human beings and they've embraced us and the concepts and the way we think and how we go about doing our business. I owe it to them that it works, that's what's the magical piece for us. We know that it's a blessing too and it's not just coaching, it's not just the kids, it's all of it together working in concert to get us to where we want to be. Without all of it, I don't know if it happens."
Samford's quarterfinal matchup with ETSU is set for a 7:30 p.m. start Friday night from the Pete Hanna Center. To follow the SoCon Tournament, click on the following link: TOURNAMENT CENTRAL.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford volleyball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at @SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordVB (Instagram) and @SamfordVB (Twitter).
The volleyball team will host the Southern Conference Tournament this weekend in the Pete Hanna Center. Samford has won six-straight matches entering the tournament to earn the No. 3 seed for the event. Samford posted an 8-3 record at home this season, including an 8-0 mark in conference home games.
"For this group, being at home has been huge for us," Chan said. "We've gotten healthy at the right time, started playing some good volleyball at the right time. So, we had a confluence of some really good things happening at the end of the year and hopefully we're playing our best volleyball when it matters most."
While the Bulldogs had an impressive home record this season, the team posted a 1-10 record in road contests. Chan talked about what factors contributed to the disparity in records at home versus on the road.
"Just a lot of little things I think caught us and it just happened to be timing, injuries," Chan said. "The opponents we played away were really hard non-conference opponents. And then in conference, we had to play a whole bunch of matches away early in the season when we were kind of banged up. Then we got kids healthy, and we only had two road trips at the end of the year, really in the last six weeks. For sure, being at home matters to this group. We're just lucky that we get to host this year."
Chan said confidence is also a big factor in the turnaround his team has experienced this season after a slow start.
"This year I've learned quite a bit about coaching in certain ways," Chan said. "Confidence is a real thing. It's kind of ethereal, it's hard to quantify and it's hard to give people confidence. But it is an art, you've got to learn how to do it. I think we've been fortunate and navigated that well, and I think our group has some good mojo going into the weekend that matters most here this weekend."
The SoCon postseason awards were released earlier this week. Kenya McQuirter was named first team All-SoCon, and Lauren Deaton earned second team All-SoCon honors. Additionally, Kate Wonus was named to the SoCon's All-Freshman team.
"I'm really proud that those three young ladies were recognized," Chan said. "However, the most important thing for us is us as a volleyball program always playing our best volleyball at the end of the year and trying to do something special. That's really what our biggest focus is going to be on."
Samford will open the SoCon Tournament against the No. 6 seed ETSU. The teams split their two regular-season meetings, with the home team winning both matches. Chan talked about the challenges of meeting a team for the third time in the same season.
"The good thing is, everyone has to deal with it," Chan said. "The thing is you know each other pretty well, and it really comes down to execution now. We liked our game plan both times and one time we executed and one time we didn't. That's really going to be the margin for success."
Chan also talked about what Samford fans can expect to see in the matchup with ETSU.
"We know we're going to have to do a really good job stopping both of their opposites," Chan said. "We think they're probably going to play a six-two, they've kind of been flipping in and out all year. But (Sara) Esposito is a really excellent player, she's a senior, we've seen her a lot. And then their other opposite, who's a lefty, she's kind of been spotty playing, but every time they've put her in, she's torn us up, so we're expecting she'll get some playing time. They're kind of veteran-laden too, they're a little bit like Greensboro. They've even brought in some transfers that no one knew much about, they're older girls that know how to play the game. We're going to have to play really well, so it's going to be a good match."
This season there has been a lot of parity in the Southern Conference. There has not been a lot of separation between teams in the standings. Chan talked about the parity in the league this season.
"The records do kind of signify the parity that is going on in the conference and the level of play," Chan said. "I think that what's going to be exciting for the SoCon fans is literally anyone on any night, and really it's whoever's playing the best team volleyball together. Everyone's shown that they're vulnerable and they can win. It's going to be a really interesting weekend and we're just hopeful and our goal is to be playing our best volleyball and the outcome will take care of itself."
In Chan's first five seasons as Samford's head coach, the Bulldogs have won four SoCon Tournament titles. When asked about all the winning his program has done, Chan credited the players on his teams.
"What it means to me I guess for the most part is and what makes my heart sing about volleyball and Samford and our program is the fact that our kids grow," Chan said. "The winning is an outshoot of the growth of the individuals and our team. These kids are easy to coach. The girls really make it worthwhile. They're wonderful human beings and they've embraced us and the concepts and the way we think and how we go about doing our business. I owe it to them that it works, that's what's the magical piece for us. We know that it's a blessing too and it's not just coaching, it's not just the kids, it's all of it together working in concert to get us to where we want to be. Without all of it, I don't know if it happens."
Samford's quarterfinal matchup with ETSU is set for a 7:30 p.m. start Friday night from the Pete Hanna Center. To follow the SoCon Tournament, click on the following link: TOURNAMENT CENTRAL.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford volleyball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at @SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordVB (Instagram) and @SamfordVB (Twitter).
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's Volleyball
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/ Women's VolleyballSunday, October 27
Sunday, October 27
Saturday, October 12
Saturday, October 12
