The 2013 season was a phenomenal year for Biola’s volleyball team. With the best start to the season since 2008, the Eagles finished their season as the NAIA National championship runner-up with an overall record of 27-4.
SEASON ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Biola swept conference rival Concordia University in the semifinals to advance to the championship round in the national tournament. However, the Eagles were not able to clinch the championship title against No. 1 Texas-Brownsville, losing in three sets.
“The season is something that we are really proud of,” junior middle blocker Amy Weststeyn said. “But there is that little piece of you that isn’t satisfied. It gives us a hunger for this upcoming year to be in that game again but win it this time.”
Head coach Aaron Seltzer will be going into his 13th year at Biola. On Sept. 24 Seltzer achieved his 300th career win against Vanguard University. Seltzer was honored with his first ever NAIA Coach of the Year award.
“One thing that contributed to our success this year was our amazing coaching staff,” sophomore outside hitter Britta Blaser said. “They were really good at setting the tone for us and making sure that we were working hard and looking towards the future to where our hard work would bring us.”
MOVING FORWARD
The team will have a total of three seniors for the upcoming season. One of the main priorities for the seniors is to keep a deep trust within the team to build a cohesive unit on the court.
“When you have a team that loves to be around each other on and off the court as much as we do — it changes everything,” Weststeyn said. “It gives everyone the freedom to do their job well when we trust each other and support each other.”
The Eagles have their sights set on another appearance at the national tournament. With the experience of making it to the final round of the national championship, the nine upperclassmen know what it will take to win a championship title.
SETTING A GOAL
“The experience is so overwhelmingly influential on how people carry on through a season,” said junior defensive specialist Jaci Schork. “Because we did get so far this season I think we can know what to expect and we are going to be the team to beat in every situation. It’s going to be a lot more pressure, but with that experience I think that we are going to be able to handle it.”
The Eagles will have to take the season game by game before they can get to the final round of the tournament.
“The goal is to win nationals,” Weststeyn said. “But we are not under the assumption that it will be easy. Every game that we play is going to be in preparation for the tournament and we have to avoid the temptation of making things routine.”
The volleyball team’s season kicks off on August 16 against Viterbo University in Chase Gym.
