Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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4 CAVALIER CORNER cavalier sports Shannon Wells became the ninth head coach in program history in April 2021. She came to Virginia after serving on staff for seven seasons at the University of Florida, rising from assistant to associ- ate head coach in 2017 at a program that went to seven consecu- tive NCAA Tournaments. In her first season as UVA head coach, the Cavaliers gained six more wins in 2021 than they had in 2020, but at 8-20 overall it was clearly a rebuilding year. Cavalier Corner sat down with Wells to discuss the pending 2022 season and what's next for her program. Cavalier Corner: What can we expect from this year's team in your second season at the helm? Wells: "We are very excited about Year 2. The ACC continues to be the best volleyball conference in the country, so we needed to get bigger, faster and more dynamic quickly. This offseason, we achieved that in two ways. "First, our current roster had an amazing spring, and they are al- ready back in the gym this summer getting better. They've completely bought into our championship-behavior mentality and are continuing to build a strong foundation for our program. "Second, our opponents and fans will see a lot of fresh faces. We will have five newcomers this year, including four transfers, and all five are expected to compete for playing time right away. "We will continue to measure our success in our culture and the way we compete. With that said, I believe this team is ready to win." Cavalier Corner: Memorial Gymnasium is going to look a little dif- ferent this season. Why is that, and how has that been a boost to the program? Wells: "This summer, we revealed a new finish and paint job on our court. We will also move into our new office spaces at Mem in mid-August. Thanks to the generosity of amazing supporters of UVA athletics, we will also see new lighting, sound system, scoreboards and bleachers within the next two years. "We are also continuing to look at ways to enhance our locker room, team room and video space. Mem Gym is one of the best home-court advantages in the country. It provides an intimate and unique setting with screaming fans right on top of you and is one of the few standalone volleyball facilities. "This is a space we are very proud of, and the new additions and upgrades have us even more excited about what the future holds for Virginia volleyball." Cavalier Corner: What's one thing you've learned about UVA now that you've been head coach for over one year? Wells: "I learned so many lessons in Year 1, but by far the biggest one is that coming to UVA was the best decision I could have ever made. There is so much support here from our administration, other coaches, professors on Grounds, President [James] Ryan and the Charlottesville community. "Everyone I talk to is so excited about what we are doing and is will- ing to provide us the help and support we need to win championships." Cavalier Corner: As of recently, the ACC has proven to be a premier conference in women's volleyball. What's different about the conference these past few years, and how will the conference's collective success help UVA transcend into a nationally renowned program? Wells: "Recently, I've been on the phone with top recruits in the country and sharing our vision of winning a national championship at UVA. If you want to be the best team in the ACC, then you will also be competing for the national championship. "That is the level our conference is at. We have elite competition, high-level academics, an amazing travel schedule and a beautiful campus. The best student-athletes in the country are learning that you can compete for national championships and obtain a premier education — not every conference can claim that." Cavalier Corner: If you could summarize your coaching style or philosophy in just one word, what would it be and why? Wells: "Relationships. I knew I wanted to be a coach when I was in seventh grade. I was raised by a single mom who raised four chil- dren on her own. It took a village to raise the Wells family. "Our coaches were invested in helping us be successful on and off the court. They were — and still are — a huge piece of my life. I coach because of the relationships I developed with my own coaches. I want to impact my student-athletes like my own coaches did. I can't think of a better way to thank them for all they have given me, than to give back myself." — Patrick Boling five questions with Volleyball Head Coach Shannon Wells Wells, who is entering her second season at the helm of the volleyball program fo- cused on building a championship mentality at UVA, summed up her coaching style and philosophy in one word: relationships. (Photo by Matt Riley/courtesy UVA)