Returning from their preseason tournament in Florida, the Washburn volleyball team started their season off on a high note in their 22nd year under the direction of head coach Chris Herron, with a 3-0 home opener sweep of Christian Brothers University Sept. 7.
With a large group of newcomers to the roster, Herron and the team are seeking redemption from last season’s NCAA DII Regional quarterfinal loss to the number six seed, Minnesota Duluth.
“The expectations here really don’t ever change. Our expectation is that [players] come here for a reason; the program has been good. [Players] come here because they want to play on a winning team,” Herron said.
And a winning team is exactly what fans saw during Thursday’s match-up in Lee Arena. The energy of the first home game each year brings excitement and nervousness to the fans, coaching staff, first-year players and returning ones.
“It just gives me chills,” said Iyannah Jackson, sophomore finance major. “Especially my freshman year, you know, experiencing the first home game we had, it was definitely a run of adrenaline that was just insane.”
For Sophia Cavanaugh, freshman business major, it wasn’t only the reputation and tradition that drew her to the Washburn volleyball team, but also the unity and accepting culture the team creates.
“I have never been a part of a group of women like this before, where I just feel so happy and so loved by every single one of them. Our team chemistry is nothing like I’ve ever experienced before,” Cavanaugh said.
Unsatisfied with the end of last season, the team’s goal this year is to improve each match and raise their winning percentage in hopes of returning to and winning the NCAA tournament.
Despite a third of the team joining the Ichabods on the court, just this season, the chemistry and sisterhood of the group is as strong as ever and is one of the main keys for this year’s success.
Edited by Larissa Morgan and LeSha’ Davis
