TOLEDO, Ohio— If things had gone according to plan, the Toledo volleyball team would be closing out its spring schedule with a home tournament this weekend.

Obviously, that is not the case. The Rockets' spring schedule, including all four tournaments, was wiped out due to the coronavirus pandemic. But plans for next year continue, nevertheless.

Toledo enters the 2020 season with nearly its entire roster intact from last season. While the one departing player is an important one, All-MAC middle blocker Zoe Birnbrich, the Rockets added four talented newcomers to the mix. Freshmen Taylor Alt, Claire Eiden, and Payton Morman join West Virginia transfer Rhyenne Filisi as the newest members of the volleyball team. All will serve as important building blocks as Toledo continues to build towards the ultimate goal of winning a MAC Championship.

We checked in with head coach Jason Oliver to see how the team is holding up and what's in store for Toledo this fall.

First and foremost, how is everyone doing?

Jason Oliver:   "Everyone is hanging in there. We have a bunch of student-athletes who are concerned about what is going on, but are committed to doing the right thing. I do think that they are feeling the hurt of being away from school and volleyball. We try to meet once a week with everyone on Zoom to just talk and play some games. Each of the staff members call and talk one on one with players each week. So we know what is going on with everyone for the most part."

How much has losing the spring season affected your team?

JO: "I think losing the spring is a big deal for us. We have a big roster and we had some very competitive practices that were truly going to push our program forward. Not having those practices every day is going to hurt. Most teams in the spring have 7 to 10 people in the gym.  We had 15 and that was great.  Some real high level volleyball was being played.  It just hurts, but it hurts everyone and we know what we have to deal with it."

What kind of drills/work outs can the players do during this time without access to a gym to actually play volleyball?

JO: "There really are only so many things that our strength coach, Brandon Hannum, can give them to do. We have them look at other volleyball players to study and other teams to watch, but for the most part they have to take it and put it on their shoulders to get things done."

Looking ahead, how do you feel about the team heading into the fall?

JO: "I really like the way our team is set up for the fall. I think that we have a great core group of players back with a lot of experience. Our talent and depth is better at every position. That will make for better play in the fall. I am really interested in what the season will look like, but I will be happy to be working every day with this special group of student-athletes."

What will the newcomers (Rhyenne Filisi, Taylor Alt, Claire Eiden, and Payton Morman) bring to the table?

JO: "Rhyenne, Taylor, Claire, and Payton bring an abundance of talent, but also a desire to compete.  They all have this drive to be great and I think that is something we will need going forward in this program.  They have bought into the vision of doing great things as Rockets.  Hopefully soon we will be able to get after it and make that dream a reality."

What do you anticipate the strengths and weaknesses being for this team next season?

JO: "This year we should be a very efficient attacking and blocking team.  There is no reason for us to not be a dominant team at the net; we have the players to make that happen. We're getting more sound with our ball control. The first and second touch will really dictate how the season goes. The returning players have developed well and are starting to show signs of consistent, high-level play. The freshmen have great ability and we will pass and set the ball at a championship level. I believe that we have more depth and talent than ever."