Ruston, La. – The Louisiana Tech Women's Soccer season is approaching. Fast. With less than two weeks remaining to the 2022 season, which includes four straight matches at home inside The Mack, head coach Steve Voltz is looking to build off the momentum of last year's foundation-laying season. 
 
With more roster continuity and a completed coaching staff headed into the fall, Voltz and the Lady Techsters are expecting a fall camp, which includes an out-of-town trip to Gulfport, Miss., full of opportunity for growth and development.
 
Voltz, who was named interim head coach last August, had the interim tag removed following the 2021 campaign and discussed what it was like to enjoy a full off season as the head coach, the week ahead in Mississippi, and more.
 
LA Tech opens the season against Murray State on Thursday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. in Ruston after competing in two exhibition matches at ULM (Aug. 13) and ETBU (Aug. 15). 
 
Tickets for the 2022 season are on sale now, which features nine home matches to be played at Robert Mack Caruthers Field, and can be purchased at LATechSports.com/tickets or by calling the LA Tech Ticket Office at (318) 257-3631.
 
What are your overall thoughts after the first week of practice? 
"We are extremely glad to be back after a long off season. It was great to be back with all our players and get into a routine and continue what we started to establish last season. One of the biggest things when we get back is to make sure we are physically ready to perform since we aren't with each other training over the summer.  We are excited about what we've been able to do over the first few days. It's been great to have everyone around and seeing each other again. The spirits of the players have been great, but there is work to be done. We have two weeks before we play and those two weeks will come on us pretty quickly. Overall, we are right where we need to be right now."
 
How beneficial was it getting a full off season as the head coach? 
"It's a positive effect on every aspect of the program from the stand point of preparation. We were able to lay some great ground work last year with the standards, expectations, and routines of our program. Last season we were in a bit of a scramble mode getting everything ready and now we have such a better understanding of who we are and what needs to be done. Having our staff complete now by adding an outstanding member in Sydney Drinkwater alongside Chris Harwick it just gives us so much more in terms of preparation and understanding."
 
After 18 newcomers the year before, you return 23 of 36 on the roster this year with just three newcomers. What does all that experience and continuity do for the program moving into this season? 
"First off, kudos to our players, it was tough literally having half our team being new to campus last season. It was a tough environment, but we got it done. As a staff, we are big believers in development and being able to work with each of our players so they can grow. We wanted to have a roster size that makes every player feel like they have an opportunity to train and develop. We want to make sure that our players know that we believe in them, that we have confidence in them, and that we can develop them to get them where they need to be versus constantly turning over the roster. Now, each player gets more attention from the coaches and we only have to integrate a couple new players versus 36 like we did last year."
 
How important is having the first four games of the season at home inside The Mack? What can that do for building momentum and confidence? 
"We wanted to find quality opponents to compete against. It wasn't so much about trying to find home games as it was creating the most competitive schedule from teams in our surrounding area we could, and we were fortunate to have it work out where we start with four straight at home. We want to play in front of our fans and create a culture here where soccer grows on our campus and in our community. I think with our style of play fans will realize very quickly this is something they will want to come to and enjoy, not just from the game itself but also the game day atmosphere that we have here. The pressure now is on us to perform at home and we are excited about that opportunity. Our players are ready to play in front of the home fans."
 
What is the idea behind the mantra "Succeed as One?"
"Everything we do within this program is a group effort. We are one program, one family, one team. Everything that happens to us happens to everybody; everyone has their role to play. We as coaches don't just dictate to our players what they are doing to do, we talk to each other about it. The more involved our athletes are in the process the better solutions we can come up with. At the end of the day, they are the ones that have to perform so we need to know what they need to be successful. They were a part of setting our standards and continue to be a part of our cultural development which is a living breathing thing that we constantly work on. As far as success goes, it's defined in in so many different ways. We've had great success in the classroom and achieved a lot of academic recognition and we will continue to do that, but we also want success in growing the game in our community and become a bigger part of our community. It's beyond the wins and losses and success on the field. We want to make sure that we are growing a program that is healthy. We want our players to be taken care of physically, emotionally, mentally, academically, and can graduate after an outstanding career here. Last year we talked a lot about "Bring the Joy" and that hasn't gone anywhere. It will always be a part of who we are. We are playing a game and there should always be an element of joy when you play the game you love and are around your teammates."
 
What are the hopes heading into camp on the coast in Gulfport next week?
"Based on a lot of personal experiences playing overseas, we always went away for a little bit for preseason camp and see something different. You get to travel and have that chance to be on the road already and experience that together. It's also a chance to grow as a team. While we will work and train hard while we are there, we will also take the opportunity to spend a lot on team building and growing together as people. We talk a lot about connecting, then communicating which leads to trust and then leads to sacrifice, and we want to be willing to sacrifice for each other. Now we get a chance to know each other as people. Yes, we've been together for a year and are only integrating a few new players, but can we grow closer and connect even more? This is an ongoing process so the continual development of culture, style of play, each individual athlete, fitness, are all part that. In order to accomplish all that, it's best done when you're a little bit away from the routine of campus and get out of your comfort zone."
 
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