ASU club volleyball player Sarah Daly digs the ball during practice at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex on Nov. 17, 2014. (Photo by Daniel Kwon)A team of women pay $400 a semester, travel to Las Vegas, California, and other places around the Southwest, and sacrifice eight hours of their week, every week, in order to pursue something that they’re passionate about: volleyball.
The members of ASU's club volleyball team don’t play for scholarship money or for big crowds at games. They don’t even play in the hopes of playing volleyball for the rest of their lives. They joined this club team simply because they love the sport.
Courtney Van Bussum, a biomedical engineering sophomore and a returning member of the club volleyball team, spoke very highly of the organization.
Arizona State club volleyball player Maddie Ternyik spikes the ball during practice at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex on Nov. 17, 2014. (Photo by Daniel Kwon)“I’ve played volleyball my whole life and was pretty serious about it in high school,” Van Bussum said. “However, I didn’t want to try and play for a college team, because of the commitment that it required. I still wanted to play at a competitive level though, so I figured club was the best option.”
The team volunteered Oct. 25 with the Phoenix Children’s Hospital in order to get funding from the University. In previous years, ASU has been able to provide the team with the necessary funding for equipment, travel, and practice time. This year, with money being tighter than ever, the team has had to earn this funding.
Amanda Holmes, the president of the volleyball team, said doing events like this brings the team closer.
“Volunteering as a team allows us to not only help out the community, but become closer friends off of the court,” Holmes said. “We are all close and believe it’s not just practice and games that makes us good friends; it’s all the things we do together outside of volleyball.”
Last year, the team traveled to Flagstaff, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada, for various tournaments. This year, they’re flying all the way to Kansas City, Missouri, for nationals.
“Traveling together is a lot of fun, and it allows you to get really close to all the team,” Van Bussum said. “I have made a lot of great friends from it.”
The girls on the team love to play volleyball, and it shows in practice. Each and every one is committed to and focused on the sport, even if it is just for a hobby.
“We’re all really dedicated to the team,” Holmes said. “It’s not just something we do as a way to waste time; it’s a real commitment for us.”
ASU club volleyball coach Tom gathers his players during practice at the Sun Devil Fitness Complex on Nov. 17, 2014. (Photo by Daniel Kwon)At practice Oct. 29, the team had a scrimmage against Benedictine University, a college in Mesa. A small crowd gathered to watch, including the ASU men’s club volleyball team, which volunteered to referee.
“I’m not just friends with the girls on the team,” Van Bussum said. “The men’s team have been great friends and help to us.”
Akili Moore, a freshman and new member of the volleyball team, said her experience with the team has been very positive so far.
“I had a really hard coach in high school, so this team is a little easier,” Moore said. “But my teammates are great! It was a little hard at first playing with a totally different group of girls, but they’re all really nice.”
Reach the reporter at fdenaple@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @FreesiaDeNaples
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