Volleyball team undefeated in tournament

The volleyball team played an undefeated tournament earlier this month with six new active freshmen.

The team won four out of four games at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy Eutectics Classic on Oct. 12-13 in St. Louis, Missouri. The starting lineup included three out of the six active freshman on the team’s roster.

“We played some very tough competition and beat all three teams 3-0 and the last team 3-1, and I thought we did a very good job as a team and we grew and got better,” Coach Santiago Restrepo said.

Freshman Middle Blocker Kenady Bertling said the tournament games were some of the team’s best yet.  

“From preseason to the point we’re at now, I think everything’s just connecting and clicking within our team,” Bertling said. 

OCU volleyball stands with a season record of 21-2. The team trains up to three hours every day that there isn’t a game. 

Balancing the practice schedule with schoolwork has not proved overwhelming, Bertling said. 

“School comes first. We always talk about stuff like that,” Bertling said.

Bertling said OCU’s small size keeps her from feeling overwhelmed when she plays. 

“I can’t imagine how freshman feel at big schools, big, big schools, because that’s a lot of pressure, and you have a lot of eyes watching you, so I think I’d be nervous,” she said. “But here, you know everybody.”

Bertling said, even people who are not interested in volleyball, end up loving it after watching a game. 

“It’s not a complicated game to understand, and it’s also so exciting to watch,” Bertling said.  

Bertling said her inspiration comes from the team dynamic and mindset. 

“I like being able to be a part of the team and being able not to play for myself, but being able to play for other people,” she said.

Freshman Middle Blocker Olivia Nutter said she’s never experienced an atmosphere like OCU’s volleyball team.

“I’ve never really had a team where everybody collectively was on the same page, and everybody wanted to win, and I think that this is one of the only teams that I’ve been on where everybody just gets along with each other really well,” Nutter said.   

Senior Setter Sophia Salak said she gets a decent amount of playing time considering she does not start, but what motivates her is the team, not time on the court.  

“I find my strength in leadership and supporting my teammates and just seeing my team do well, even though I’m not an all-star starting setter. I love to see my teammates improve,” Salak said.

The volleyball team’s next home game is against Panhandle State at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center.