Before the start of the season, the Oswego State athletic department hired Betsy Hayden to coach the women’s volleyball team.

Although Hayden may be new to Oswego State, she is not new to coaching. She has coached many teams and brings years of experience to the volleyball program. In the past, she has coached volleyball as well as softball at Onondaga Community College. Over those years, Hayden led the teams she coached to winning records. She also won the Coach of the Year of the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Her experience and expertise with volleyball brings opportunities and hope to a new season.

Hayden brings an atmosphere of both dedication and positivity. Her hopes for this year are to remember academics while still having a successful year as a team.

Hayden also believes there are more than just wins and losses. Her hopes for the volleyball team this year is for the women to “have a positive experience, work hard and [act] in a positive way.” Hayden not only helps the team to achieve a common goal but also keeps everything in perspective.

The main focus for the team this year is to increase the team’s effort. She wants to focus the program on “the team and positive energy.” According to Hayden, the team’s focus is more than just winning; it is team support and spirit. The main goal this year is to make the SUNYAC playoffs.

“She helps to bring the team together,” sophomore and team captain Meaghan Puff said of Hayden. “She is always positive and never puts us down. She wants us to be the best we can be.”

Hayden has helped to bring the team together, which was one of her goals from the start.

“We have such a young new team; we really have a lot of potential this year,” Puff said.

Although it is still the start of the season the goal of doing well at SUNYAC is still in mind, even for the players.

This year Hayden is focused on team building and fulfilling the goal of reaching the SUNYAC playoffs. With Hayden as head coach, it appears to be the start of a successful year.