Offseason: A time to build 

Offseason is not a break, it is a time to build strength, refine skills and mentally prepare for the next season. While crowds are gone, pressure is off and competitive matches pause, there are other challenges. From new strength and conditioning schedules to mental health care, the Point Loma Nazarene University women’s volleyball team is finding ways to stay on top of their game. 

It is currently the offseason for the volleyball team, after a historic record of 26-2 in their 2024 season, a new best-winning percentage in a single season for PLNU. Their season ended on Dec. 6 in the regional semifinals with a 1-3 loss to Cal Poly Pomona.

Offseason comes with a new schedule for training, lifting, conditioning and maintaining mental health. 

“During fall we are in the gym for practice five to six days a week,” said Jonathan Scott, PLNU volleyball head coach. “Offseason will be longer and heavier lifts with more of a focus on gains.” 

This differs from in-season routine. 

“In season, the focus is maintenance and preservation,” said Scott, who has coached the volleyball team for 11 years.

Mariah Hughes, second-year business administration major and outside hitter, said that in this season of building and “individual development,” there is time for rest and relaxation. 

Hughes said her daily schedule in the offseason includes waking up at 5 a.m., having practice and lifing in the morning followed by classes and finding a time to nap. 

“We rest on the weekends and make sure we are healthy before having fun and going to the beach or hanging out with friends,” Hughes said. 

In addition to the extra physical rest, mental health is also a significant focus for the team. 

“We do team testimonies and Bible study weekly and we do daily mindset/visualization training and prayer,” Scott said. “We also offer voluntary resources with wellness, nutritionist, and counseling.” 

Mental and physical health is crucial for athletes at all levels. In an effort to ensure that everyone feels connected to their community, these women prioritize the team dynamics. 

“Our team is very close knit. We are able to be vulnerable and share struggles,” Hughes said.  “The team knows they can go to each other and we have great relationships with coaches and assistants.”

Sophia Baugh, second-year setter, explained that during the offseason, players have one-on-one meetings with their coaches to talk about goals, mental health or whatever is weighing on the player. The players also have structured one-on-one dates with each other to stay connected to their teammates.

During the offseason, analyzing film is tailored to individual performance at practices. “Every practice is filmed and we each go back to each practice and make tags to ourselves and teammates,” Baugh said. 

Teammates are then able to help each other see what they did well and ways to improve. 

“In season, it’s more specific to other teams and how we will play against them, and picking out specific players,”  Baugh said.

Training and preparation look different from offseason to regular season, but what stays the same is the team’s focus on constant improvement.

“[The] abstract goal that we actually focus more on: get better today,” Scott said.