Cameron Aggies Volleyball at the 2024 UCCS Mountain Lion Classic
Tournament Schedule: 
Friday-Saturday, September 6-7, 2024
Colorado Springs, Colorado - Gallogly Events Center
Friday-  12:15 p.m. (11:15 a.m. MT): at University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS) 
Friday- 4:45 p.m. (3:45 p.m. MT) : vs. Arkansas-Fort Smith 
Saturday- 10 a.m. (9 a.m. MT) : vs. University of Mary 
Saturday- 2:30 p.m. (1:30 p.m. MT): vs. Fort Hays State University
 
It will mark the beginning of what promises to be an exciting season for the Aggies. The Cameron Aggies were picked to finish 13th in the 2024 LSC preseason poll after completing the 2023-2024 volleyball season with a record of 6-24 overall and 3-13 in Lone Star conference contests. Cameron has four returners in addition to eleven newcomers.

The University of Colorado of Colorado Springs Mountain Lions finished the season last year with 8-18 overall and 6-8 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Arkansas-Fort Smith Lions their 2023-2024 campaign with a 22-8 record overall and 12-4 in the MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) conference. University of Mary Marauders finished their volleyball season last year with a 9-19 overall record and 4-14 in the Northen Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Fort Hays State University finish their 2023-2024 season campaign with a 11-18 record and 5-15 MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association) conference record. 

Coach Martell 

Nathan Martell is entering in his second season as the head coach of volleyball at Cameron University and his 9th year overall as a Collegiate head coach. Martell holds a career record of 6-24. 

Before getting hired on the Volleyball coaching staff at Cameron, Martell spent 6 years as a Assistant  Volleyball coach at CSU-Pueblo and most recently worked at Division I's University of North Dakota as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the 2015 season. 

Returners 

The Cameron Aggies return four players from last season's team. The returners are lead by Shelby Rusch, Rachael White, Carsen Glaser, Clarissa Galindo, and Jennifer Valdez.  
 

Newcomers

Head coach Nathan Martell brought in 11 newcomers for the 2024 campaign, including seven freshman and four transfers. Rhayan Earl transferred from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. The incoming freshman include  Tatum Gehring, Haley Beggs, Kayla Eggiman, Zaria Jones, Riley McFarland, Benedite Anuman and  Hailey Baker.  

Coach Martell's Outlook

Head Coach Nathan Martell sat down with us to discuss the upcoming season and his expectations for the team. "I'm incredibly excited about this year's squad," Martell enthused. "We have a great mix of experienced players and talented freshmen who are bringing a fresh energy to the court."

Martell's enthusiasm was particularly evident when discussing the new additions to the team. "Our freshman girls have been a joy to work with," he said. "They're eager to learn and improve, and that attitude is contagious. It's really elevating everyone's game."

When asked about his coaching philosophy, Martell emphasized the importance of player development. "For me, success isn't just about winning matches. It's about seeing these young athletes grow and succeed both on and off the court. That's what really drives me as a coach."

Looking ahead to the weekend's tournament, Martell acknowledged the high level of competition but remained optimistic. "The UCCS Classic is always competitive, and this year will be no different. We're going to face some tough opponents, but I believe in our team's ability to rise to the challenge. We're taking it one game at a time and focusing on playing our best volleyball."

We also had the opportunity to speak with two key players: senior Carsen Glaser and junior Shelby Rusch. Both transfer athletes, they offered unique insights into what makes the Cameron Aggies volleyball program special.

Glaser, the lone senior on the team, reflected on her time with the Aggies. "When I first joined the team, I was struck by the incredible energy everyone brought to practice and games," she said. "It's not just about skill here; it's about passion and teamwork. That's what's made my time with the Aggies so memorable."

Rusch echoed these sentiments, adding, "Coach Martell's leadership has been a huge factor in our success. His communication skills are top-notch, and you can feel his passion for the game in every interaction. That's a big reason why Carsen and I chose to transfer here."

Both players expressed excitement about the upcoming tournament and the season ahead. "We've been working hard in preseason, and we're ready to show what we can do," Rusch stated. Glaser nodded in agreement, adding, "As a senior, I want to make this season count. We're aiming high, and I believe we have the talent and determination to achieve great things this year."

As the Cameron Aggies prepare to head to Colorado Springs, there's a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement surrounding the team. With a mix of fresh talent, experienced leadership, and a dedicated coaching staff, the Aggies are poised for what could be a memorable season. Volleyball fans will certainly want to keep an eye on this team as they take to the court at the UCCS Volleyball Classic Mountain Lion Classic this weekend.