Augustana’s men’s volleyball team is two-thirds through their second official season with an overall record of 8-10 and 2-0 in conference. At this point in the season, the team is going through big changes introducing Joshua Zolecki as Interim Head Coach.
He takes this job at Augustana having lots of previous experience coaching volleyball, including last year as an assistant at Augustana. Before becoming a Viking, Zolecki spent time with Benedictine University’s Men’s Volleyball, Naperville’s Volleyball Club, Pipeline’s Volleyball Club and Hillsdale South Volleyball as the head of the program.
Zolecki talked about what it meant to him to now be the head coach at Augustana.
“I have been coaching volleyball on almost every level there is. This is my first time as the head of a men’s collegiate program. I was not expecting in my second year with the program to take over as head but with the support of my amazing wife, I am 100% committed in making this program the best it can be. I am confident that this year we can make program history and earn postseason accolades,” Zolecki said.
Zolecki also talked about what he’s hoping to achieve jumping in at this point of the season.
“I am looking to accomplish everything that I would want for any of the teams I’ve coached throughout the years,” Zolecki said. “To compete at a high level and make the best effort into to the postseason, along with the growth of each athlete on and off the court.”
To help Coach Zolecki accomplish these goals, sophomore captain Ryan Hirschel talked about the focus of the team for the rest of the year.
“We will be focusing on conference play. We need to finish top four in our conference to make the tournament and that is our goal right now,” Hirschel said. “In practice, we are focusing on small details and are constantly scouting and watching film on our upcoming opponents.”
Zolecki gaining this position was a sudden move, but the players on the team are in support of the change and in support of Coach Zolecki.
“We knew things would change and we did not want it to affect who we were as a team,” Hirschel said. “We embraced the change and the result is the same Augustana men’s volleyball team under new leadership.”
Right now, the team’s main focus is on conference play. Zolecki talked about their conference games coming up.
“I think in order to continue our success in conference, the program needs to maintain high level play regardless of opponent,” Zolecki said. “The players need to continue to challenge themselves and teammates to grow this young program into the power house it can become.”
In the last nine games of the season, the men’s team is facing a tough stretch. Seven games are conference, which include games against Carthage, North Central and Loras.
Their next games are also both conference facing Adrian and Olivet here at Augustana. They take on Adrian on Friday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m and Olivet on Saturday, March 16 at 3:00 p.m. in the Carver Center.
Caption: Augustana Vikings Interim Head Coach, Joshua Zolecki, coaches and speaks with the Men’s Volleyball team at their Carver Gym practice. Photo by Ian Murrin.