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Larry Bell

Volleyball Athletic Communications

Hatters Get a Boost From Mental Performance Training

Stetson to Host Liberty, Kennesaw State This Weekend

STETSON (8-9, 3-2) vs. Liberty (6-5, 2-2), Kennesaw State (8-7, 2-2)
Game 1
Game 2		 6 p.m. Friday vs. Liberty 
6 p.m. Saturday vs. Kennesaw State
Location Edmunds Center, DeLand, Fla.
Tickets GoHatters.com/tix
Video Stream ESPN+ (Friday)
YouTube (Saturday)
Live Stats Live Stats
Game Notes Game Notes
ASUN Volleyball Standings
Social Media Twitter  |  Instagram |  Facebook

During opening weekend of conference play, the Stetson volleyball team was having a rough go of it.  The Hatters were swept by Jacksonville State before squeaking out a five-set victory over North Alabama.

"We had a tough game for the first one, and the second one was a battle," senior Alejandra Perez said.  "We were all over the place. We just weren't doing our job."

The coaching staff decided it was time for a new approach.  Prior to the Central Arkansas match, they turned to their athletic trainer, Larry Bell, to begin implementing a mental strengthening program.  Bell earned his Master's Degree in Applied Sport Psychology and had been working with individuals on mental training since his arrival at Stetson in 2020.  However, the time had come to make it a priority for the entire volleyball team.

"Most people know about the physical training that it takes to be a good athlete, but what people don't necessarily think about is the mental aspect," Bell said.  "In college athletics, many athletes are similar physically, but what sets the great apart from the good is the mental side of it."

Now, prior to every practice and competition as part of regular warm-up activities, Bell takes the team through mental training exercises to help everyone focus on the here and now.

"He just stops everything, tells us to close our eyes, take a deep breath, and think about your purpose and your goal for today," Perez said.  "What do you want to do? What do you want to accomplish as a team and as a player? Where do you want to improve?"

There are training exercises that focus on the different senses, such as sound, smell, or touch.  Exercises that help calm the mind.

"We call that mindfulness," Bell said.  "We work a lot on just being mindful of volleyball while they are on the court and in the gym."

One of the ways Bell trains student-athletes to manage and overcome stressful situations is with a deep breathing technique.  It allows players a method to reset their focus during chaotic moments of a match.

"It is simple, but also so profound," Bell said.  "I had one girl tell me, 'Who thought breathing could be so effective.'  It's been working.  We started it in depth a couple of weekends ago, and they took to it like a proverbial fish to water."

Stetson took the court against Central Arkansas and bounced back with one of its better games of the season, sweeping the Bears 3-0.  Junior Yamelis Mojica came off the bench and collected five kills in the third set to help the Hatters secure the win.

"I feel like it helps us a lot," Mojica said about the training.  "He basically prepares us for battle. To go play and have fun. That's the most important thing about it - to remember why we play."

"Mental training has always been something that I have wanted to implement, but we haven't really had the time or resources in the past," head coach Yang Deng said.  "I am very lucky that my athletic trainer is also mental trainer, and someone who has built a good relationship with the kids.  Somebody they trust and know has a specialty in this area.  It is such a great addition to the team. It is really helping us practices - the focus level, the concentration level, right off the bat.  I can see the difference over the past few games as well."

Bell is bringing his knowledge to the Stetson athletic department as a whole.  He has joined forces with nutritionist Lisa Trimper to develop the Hatter Optimal Performance Program, or HOPP, which provides a series of 30-minute educational presentations in the areas of nutrition and mental strengthening. 

"Our goal is optimal performance, not only in sport, but in life as well," Bell said.  "These are skills we teach to not only use on the court, but in the classroom and in everyday life.  If you start feeling overwhelmed, you can go into a deep breathing technique or progressive relaxing technique to help you focus. It is something they can take with them after graduation."

Deng says the timing was perfect for the start of mental training.  The Hatters find themselves in thick of the race in the ASUN East Division with two key matches at home this weekend against Liberty and Kennesaw State.  The Hatters (8-9, 3-2 ASUN) currently sit in third place in the division, just a half-game ahead of both the Flames and Owls.

Tickets for this weekend's matches are just $5.00 for general admission and can be purchased online or at the Edmunds Center Box Office.  Stetson student, faculty and staff are admitted free with a valid ID.  

Both contests will also be broadcast on ESPN+. 

As a team, the Hatters have fully bought in to the new mental strengthening program and will continue to train as conference play rolls on.

"The main thing that people don't realize is that just like physical training, mental performance is something you have to practice daily," Bell said.  "It is not something that just happens. That's where we come in as mental strength coaches and applied sports psychology. We are around to teach it, and then we reinforce it."
 
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Players Mentioned

Yamelis Mojica

#12 Yamelis Mojica

OH
6' 0"
Junior
Alejandra Perez

#5 Alejandra Perez

OH
5' 8"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Yamelis Mojica

#12 Yamelis Mojica

6' 0"
Junior
OH
Alejandra Perez

#5 Alejandra Perez

5' 8"
Senior
OH