Playing to Your Identity

Every year, every team is different. MVB '26 won't have a known quantity, dominant middle.

It will have youthful experience and much to prove as the double digit streak of Freedom Division dominance is history. 

Regardless of roster, your job is to play to your MVB identity. Leave an impression. 

MVB '26 Identity

• Aggressive
• Cerebral
• Communicating
• Consistent
• Positive
• Team First

MVB '26 Realities

• More conventional (pins) offense
• Experienced back row defense 
• Rebuilding the middle with many athletes in the mix
• Need to find more points off service 
• "Numbers crunch" with 13 returners (intense competition)

Success without "overwhelming" talent 

• Limiting mistakes (consistency)
• "Make winning plays" 
• "Win this point" mentality ("Next play")
• Energy
• Resilience 

Lagniappe. What do coaches look for in a player? 

What Coach Scheyer looks for in a recruit or portal player that doesn’t show up on film:

Mental toughness
The ability to have an off night and still impact the game in other ways. How do you affect winning when the ball isn’t in your hands? How do you respond to adversity? Even… pic.twitter.com/EzqvmBvFEs

— Blue Devil Voices (@DukeEchoes) December 3, 2025