Norse volleyball spring to 1st NCAA Division III National Tournament

It has been a year of firsts for the women’s volleyball team, as Head Coach Jane Gibbs was named IIAC Coach of the Year while leading her team to their first ever appearance in the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

Finishing second in the conference with a 6-2 record, the highest ranking in history and with an overall record of 25-10, the best record since 1992, the Norse women entered the National tournament ranked eighth in the Central region. This admittance to the tournament was uncertain after losing to Wartburg in the conference tournament. The Norse got an at large bid to the National tournament in the the Mid-West Region, giving the team one more chance to play their game.

“We just had nothing to lose,” Lauren Boleen (‘11) said. “It was our second chance. We thought we were done and this was another chance to play.”

The team’s first match was against nationally ranked #15 St. Benedict’s.

“We knew it was going to be a competitive match, and we just wanted to leave it all out on the floor and play our best game,” Captain Heather Hoffman (‘10) said.

Luther beat St. Ben’s in a close match that went to five games (15-25, 25-12, 15-25, 25-18 and 15-13). Emily Cory (‘12) led the Norse with 22 kills, while Taylor Hjerleid (‘11) chipped in 35 assists.

“We remained pretty steady throughout the game,” Hoffman said. “The momentum changer came in the fifth game when the score was tied 7-7, and the opposing outside hitter hit a ball that nicked Taylor Hjerleid’s fingers, went off Emily Ellson’s head and landed on the other sideline for a kill.”

“The St. Ben’s game made us realize that we belong there. We were just as good as any of the teams there,” Boleen said.

With the big win over St. Ben’s, the team faced St. Thomas in the semifinals of regional play, and fell to the #14 ranked team in three games. Bringing good competition, Felicia Bridges (‘10) and Emily Cory (‘12) both marked nine kills, while Grayce Hamlin (‘10) led the defense notching 17 digs.

“It was an awesome season,” Head Coach Jane Gibbs said. “We stayed in the St. Thomas match. It was a battle back and forth,”

What was it about this year that allowed the team to go so far?

“Every girl in the gym came to compete every day,” Boleen said. “It’s not that we just have a good varsity team; we have a good program. We have a very deep team ,and we get along really well.”

Although the team will be losing five seniors, Norse volleyball is a program on the rise.

“Since the day after last years season, this season has demanded a lot of work” Gibbs said. “There are 20 girls who put in a lot of time and work and efforts. Getting into the tournament and having that win could potentially change the next couple of years. I think that we’re going to see a lot of people getting back at it fast.”