BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — The way Eastern Florida head volleyball coach Andrea Rasmussen sees it volleyball parallels life and vice versa.
The way Eastern Florida head volleyball coach Andrea Rasmussen sees it volleyball parallels life and vice versa. So to that extent Rasmussen, who took the program’s reins in December, has a plan to get the Titans back on the winning track. (Eastern Florida image)
So to that extent Rasmussen, who took the program’s reins in December, has a plan to get the Titans back on the winning track.
“My philosophy is to provide an atmosphere where female athletes can grow and improve not only their athletic abilities, but the everyday skills needed to be successful in the real world,” Rasmussen said.
Rasmussen came to Eastern Florida from St. Edward’s School in Vero Beach, Florida, where she was nominated for 2013 regional coach of the year.
Prior to St. Edward’s Rasmussen played intercollegiate volleyball and coached at the club level in Colorado and was an assistant coach at Barton Community College in Great Bend, Kansas for five years, reaching the NJCAA national tournament twice and coaching two All-America athletes.
Accustomed to playing and coaching at a high level, Rasmussen brings high expectations to the Titans who compete in the nationally renowned Florida College System Activities Association and its outstanding Southern Conference.
Andrea Rasmussen
“We will prepare ourselves as best we can in practice, but the best way to prepare for such tough competition is by playing a tough schedule throughout the regular season,” Rasmussen said.
“If you want to be the best you have to play, and beat, the best. We play a large majority of our matches on the road this season so that we can be prepared to perform when it matters most, at the state tournament.”
Eastern Florida plays only seven of its 32 matches at home. To that end Rasmussen will stress an aggressive approach.
“There is no denying that defense wins volleyball matches,” she said. “We will have a strong defensive scheme starting with our blocking. On top of playing defense we will have to be able to score points which is where aggressive serving and smart attacks come in to play.
“Individual skills and ball control are the most important aspects of volleyball in my opinion, so our practices will be structured to focus on skill development and refinement.”
To do that she will rely on a team crafted from experienced returnees and eager and talented newcomers.
