WebSTACThis Saturday night is Senior Night for the Washington University volleyball team. The Bears will hold a ceremony to honor their three seniors: Katie Quinn, Amy Brand, and Cindy McPeak.
“Senior Night is an opportunity for us to recognize the seniors and their accomplishments at [the University],” said head coach Rich Luenemann. “Amy, Katie and Cindy have been great leaders of the program and excellent role models for the other players. It is appropriate for us to take time to recognize what they’ve done to make Wash U volleyball one of most successful programs in America.”
Throughout their participation in the volleyball program at the University, the seniors have each proven to be a major asset to the team. According to Luenemann, each senior plays a special role on the team.
Middle blocker Quinn acts as the team’s go-to person in the offensive system. “She [Quinn] is explosive both as attacker and blocker, leading the team in block percentage,” said Luenemann.
Fellow middle blocker Brand is the team’s quiet assassin. “She [Brand] accumulates blocks and digs and you don’t even realize she’s doing it,” Luenemann said.
Cindy is the team’s hardest hitter. “There is an instantaneous energy when she puts the ball away,” said Luenemann.
According to Luenemann, Quinn, Brand, and McPeak’s contributions go far beyond their athletic abilities.
“One of their most important contributions has been the leadership roles they have accepted while here at Wash U,” said Luenemann. These seniors lead by example, both on and off the court. We strive for our players to be empathetic, caring people like these women are.”
Their teammates say the seniors will be sorely missed and difficult to replace next year.
“They were sophomores when I was a freshman,” said junior Ishi Ballew. “When you come in as a freshman, there is so much you don’t know and the sophomores help you out the most because they went through everything the year before. They showed us the ropes and they were always there to help and support us. It will be hard to let them go.
Quinn, Brand, and McPeak have formed the nucleus of the team for the past few years of the program. The team will undergo a huge transition next year after the loss of three of their five starters.
In addition to anticipating Senior Night, the team is preparing for the Washington University Classic this weekend. They will face Illinois College, Webster University, and Westminster College.
While none of these teams rank in the top 25, the Bears do not anticipate easy wins.
“The Bears’ program is recognized as the premier division III volleyball program,” said Luenemann. “We have a target on our back. We have to respond and play our best because other teams will play their best against us.
In practices this week, the athletes continue to work the technical and mental aspects of their game. Each practice begins with 40 minutes of five-minute drills.
“All the drills have been a lot more intense and we are pushing ourselves to work on game-level speed,” said Ballew.
This intensity, along with an increased energy level on the court, will be crucial to the team’s post season success.
“In practice, we are constantly reminding the players to maintain confidence and have meaningful interaction on the court,” said Luenemann. “Maintaining momentum is by far the most critical factor in preparing for post season play.”