FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (October 16, 2020) – The upcoming season for the young Northern Arizona volleyball team will be a true test in a tough Big Sky Conference. However, this team is not short of experienced players who can become crucial leaders. One player who will be key to the Lumberjacks' success this upcoming spring is junior setter
Aubrea Bandfield.
Bandfield started playing volleyball when she was 11 years old. At Great Oak High School, she had 705 assists and was named to the All-Southwestern League Second Team during her senior year while also playing for Forza1, California's No. 1 club team.
During her first two seasons at NAU, Bandfield has tallied 1,150 assists and so far, ranks ninth in program history in aces per set (0.302).
As an underclassman, she was able to play and learn from a veteran setter,
Abby Stomp, who helped her become the leader and setter she is today.
"Playing with Abby was a great experience for me," Bandfield said. "She taught me to stay calm and lead by example."
Bandfield is on track to become one of the most consistent setters in the program's history after playing in 64 combined matches in her first two years. In addition to totaling more than 1,000 career assists, Bandfield has also recorded 385 digs and 74 aces.
Head Coach
Ken Murphy, entering his eighth season with the Lumberjacks, recognizes the role Bandfield will play on this team moving forward.
The Lumberjacks run a two-setter offense, which mean the first touch, or pass, is important for how well of a set the hitters will receive in order to get the kill. In order for the offense to be productive, the setter must be accurate and consistent throughout the match.
"Since day one, she's been a very consistent player for us," Murphy said. "She's probably the most consistent setter I've ever coached."
After coming from a well-respected volleyball program in California, Bandfield came to NAU with a great skillset that allowed her to contribute immediately. That was a benefit to Murphy, the coaching staff and the team, giving Bandfield potential as a lead setter.
"She is able to communicate the skill we teach her, especially to our younger players," Murphy said. "She's ready every day to get better and compete."
Now an upperclassman, it's now Bandfield's turn to lead, while having big shoes to fill. She wants to help the young team grow, especially freshman setter
Kate Hatch. Entering her first season with the Lumberjacks, Hatch is already taking in as much as she can from the experienced Bandfield.
"I feel like Aubrea is definitely a great leader," Hatch said. "Her consistency sets a good example for me to watch her do her thing and follow in her footsteps."
Last season, NAU ranked second in the Big Sky as a team in hitting percentage at .239, and Bandfield and Hatch will be important in the Lumberjacks' continued attack efficiency. NAU returns a number of hitters including senior
Heaven Harris, who led the team in kills last season with 3.14 per set.
The first touch from a hit or serve could dictate where a set will come from on the court and which hitter is tasked with hitting the ball. Having consistency is those aspects of the game are critical to the success of the hitters as well as the setters.
"If we can get the ball to them at a good position on the court, our numbers are very high," Murphy said. "They're so efficient."
With an unprecedented season just months away, the young Lumberjacks have time to not only practice their systems but figure out what their identity will be moving forward. Bandfield understands the role she will play in that shift.
"We can rebuild our culture and teach the younger players to recreate our team and find our style of play," Bandfield said.
She stresses what's important is going into every game with the same mindset regardless of who the team is playing.
"We need to step into every game playing against a faceless opponent so we can run our style of play to win," Bandfield added.
The excitement to start the season for the players and coaches cannot be understated. Murphy understands this season the team will have a lot to prove.
"I'm definitely looking forward to what the season has in store for this team," Murphy concluded.
