Women’s Volleyball at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County started its season on the road Oct. 2, with a home opener scheduled for Monday, Oct. 9. Fighting Spirits Coach Gina Holloway will lead her eight-woman squad – including seven freshmen – against other two-year campuses around the state as the club team seeks to win their league championship, culminating in a tournament in Appleton, Wisconsin, on Sunday, Nov. 5.
“It’s been such a thrill to watch these women grow into a team together,” said Holloway, a former campus student who has served as coach for three seasons. “Many of them are playing organized ball for the first time since middle school, or earlier, but their skills and teamwork keep growing. I am very excited for the season."
Returning student Alisia Schwark says playing on the team has helped her make many more friends on campus than she otherwise might have been able to, and that the communication that’s so essential to volleyball helps bond the team quickly.
“It’s just so great to have more than just going to class and going home. Having another thing to be a part of on campus makes being a student better,” she said.
In addition to the home games on October Mondays at 6 p.m., the team will play five away games on Wednesday nights in Janesville, Fond du Lac, Marshfield, Wausau, and the Fox Cities campus in Menasha, and will continue to host weekly open gym time for all students when the season ends. Those sessions let the team practice while other students can join in as well.
“It’s a great way to find new team members and just build a community together,” says Holloway. “Last week we had 24 students come – our biggest turnout for those practices yet.”
On Monday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m., the team will play against UW-Oshkosh Fox Cities, with additional games starting at 6 p.m. on Oct. 16 (UW-Stevens Point Wausau), Oct. 23 (UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac) and Oct. 30 (UW-Stevens Point Marshfield).