Before students officially begin classes at Yeshiva University, Fall sports are already intensely underway. One week before the start of classes, teams from both the men’s and women’s campuses at YU meet at Camp Kaylie in upstate New York to prepare for the upcoming sports season.
The week of training camp, colloquially referred to amongst athletes as “pre-season,” is designed to push an athlete to his/her limits both physically and mentally. Heavy practices and workouts fill each day in furious preparation for the upcoming seasons. The four Fall women’s teams at pre-season were tennis, cross country, volleyball, and soccer alongside the two Fall men’s teams, soccer and cross country. Each team had its own specific daily itinerary, and all the teams would unite within the cafeteria for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each team was also assigned to a bunk of its own, shared showers and toilets and a beautiful view of a peaceful lake in the distance.
While all teams were at Camp Kaylie, each had its own unique daily regiment, and each was specially designed for the sport in which the athletes were training for. For the women’s tennis team, the day would start at 8:20 a.m. with a run, followed by breakfast at 9 a.m. They practiced and had fitness sessions in between meals with enough time for a swim before dinner at 6 p.m. They then practiced more after dinner from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
While the cross country team trained just as vigorously, their day was structured a little differently than the tennis team’s. Each day consisted of an early morning run and a late afternoon run, completing about 10 – 11 miles a day.
The women’s volleyball team also had a rigorous schedule with focuses on flexibility and porper muscle memorty. The volleyball team would start their first session of the day after a 9 a.m. breakfast, with consistent stretches before and after practices. “Our coaches really stress the importance of properly preparing our muscles for the movements required when playing volleyball, in addition to the possible consequences if we do not stretch properly before and after playing,” said Stern College junior Shaina Hourizadeh.
The team’s post lunch session was the longest and most intense of all the teams at Camp Kaylie, consisting of conditioning and strategy. The final daily practice took place after dinner, “usually being the most fun as we would mostly scrimmage and play,” said Hourizadeh..
Amongst the madness of energy all the athletes exerted at training camp, women’s soccer fought especially fervently through their intense daily training. The mornings would consist of challenging running and sprinting sessions, followed by breakfast. A skills and technique session followed for two hours, and then lunch. In between lunch and dinner there was a fitness session, as well as play time, followed by a one-hour training session after dinner.
But for coaches and players alike, there’s much more to pre-season than just strength and conditioning.“The girls are bonding as well as getting into shape,” said Naomi Kaszovitz, YU tennis alum and coach for the past six years. “It’s definitely exhausting yet very gratifying for them.”
Coach Kaszovits also shared her goals for the upcoming season. “We’re hoping to strengthen and train and that our efforts will translate into the conference season, as well as keep us a winning team and a formidable opponent. Last year we made it to the playoffs, this year we’re hoping to do that and better.”
Galila Shapiro, Stern College senior and captain of the tennis team also views pre-season as an important time for her team. “Pre-season is very effective at uniting the team, as well as getting everyone into shape. It’s an excellent segue into the season; I can’t imagine diving straight into practices without it.”
Shoshana Mond, a senior at Stern and co-captain of the cross country team also stressed the importance of team unity. “On the cross country team, we can’t win with only one fast runner–its a group effort. The bonding experience will propel an athlete forward. It will make the athlete want to go out to practice and do well. Therefore, team bonding is crucial. If it’s not there, the team is doomed to fail.”
Both Shapiro and Mond have high hopes for their teams this season. “There is so much talent and heart on the team. If we keep it up, we have great potential to win,“ said Mond.
While other teams have experienced great success in past seasons, others are looking forward to a rebuilding year. Such is the case for women’s volleyball, a fall sport that has experienced many highs and lows throughout the past several years. Head Coach Joseph Agrest contrasted the brilliant transition of his team over the past year. “Last year we had five girls, now we have ten. We’re in a lot better shape than last year, with a few promising new girls on board with us. Our team has had a taste of winning. They won three out of four games last season, and they were hard-earned wins. They really learned that they can win, and once you learn that as a team, the focus shifts.”
Women’s soccer coach Gabe Haber also noted the benefit of attending pre-season before the daily grind of school kicks in.. “Because there is no school work or outside distractions, it is a time for the players to connect, train and concentrate. Everyone is working hard and earning it, and that carries momentum into the season.”
For some coaches, however, this year’s pre-season setup wasn’t ideal. “I’m disappointed that there is no Monday this year,” said cross country coach Steve Begley. “We do high mileage and I don’t want any injuries. Regardless, I strive to prepare the teams for success, so we’re trying to utilize our time.”
Even with this setback, Coach Begley recognized some outstanding leadership on his team. “We have captains on the team who demonstrate great passion and leadership constantly. It’s in the spirit of YU; they’re all here with a passion for running.”
He also praised the nature and benefits of pre-season. “There’s a like-minded mentality here at pre-season. Family and school are far away, which leaves the sole focus on training. Their comes a great sense of camaraderie in this, especially between the male and female cross country teams in their shared passion and experience.” Last year, the girls team finished in 5th place. “The goal is to finish in the top 3 this year.”
Assistant Director of Athletics Erica Lemm shared her thoughts on the training camp and its potential to prepare the athletes for this fall. “I think preseason is phenomenal in that athletes can get back into shape, train and bond. To bond and interact within a team is a huge part of being successful. I believe that each team will improve and build on their successes of last year, individually and as a whole. Leadership wise, people have already stepped up which is excellent to see.”