The beginning of the 2015 spring semester, the volleyball team was informed that there was a possibility of them flying to Nicaragua for a trip that happens once every four years.
During the middle of the spring semester, the team received a jolt of energy and excitement through their bodies.
The trip was a go, but it wasn’t just a vacation for the student-athletes. The team competed against the Nicaraguan junior and the national team, which head coach Kari Thompson said was a mix between younger and older players.[/text_output]
[image type=”none” float=”none” link=”true” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” src=”3784″ alt=”North Dakota State University Bison volleyball trip to Nicaragua “]
[image type=”none” float=”none” link=”true” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” src=”3785″ alt=”North Dakota State University Bison volleyball trip to Nicaragua “]
[image type=”none” float=”none” link=”true” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” src=”3786″ alt=”North Dakota State University Bison volleyball trip to Nicaragua “]
[image type=”none” float=”none” link=”true” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” src=”3787″ alt=”North Dakota State University Bison volleyball trip to Nicaragua “]
[image type=”none” float=”none” link=”true” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” src=”3788″ alt=”North Dakota State University Bison volleyball trip to Nicaragua “]
[image type=”none” float=”none” link=”true” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” src=”3789″ alt=”North Dakota State University Bison volleyball trip to Nicaragua “]
[text_output]They also played on different surfaces other than hardwood floor like they are used to in the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse.
“We played on concrete one of the days, but our defense got better because if you don’t move quickly for a ball you’ll scrape up your knees,” Thompson said with a laugh. “But no, we played very well and we watch that stuff as far as injuries.”
When the team wasn’t hitting the volleyball across the net they were using their helping hands around the community.
Jenni Fassbender said her favorite part was the volunteer work.
“We did a mobile library where we went from different schools and helped them exchange books so that they could read,” the senior said. “The funniest part was most of us don’t speak Spanish and they mostly speak Spanish so trying to communicate with them was super fun just using gestures and pronunciation.”
But luckily Monica Claxton and Mikaela Purnell knew the language, so when the team split into two groups with the kids, Claxton and Purnell were the leaders of the clan.
The coaches and student-athletes even got a little time to relax.
Shopping and the beach were the biggest hits for the ladies.
Every player was able to get up at least once on a surfboard. Emily Milligan said that was one of her favorite parts.
“This one beach that we went to that we surfed was probably the coolest thing for me,” the junior said. “They said they filmed “Survivor” there and you could see Costa Rica from there and the beach was beautiful. Learning how to surf, even though I got up once, it was still really fun.”
A team bonding experience turned into a trip of a lifetime for the young volleyball squad and Thompson, Milligan and Fassbender believe that the communication between the team became stronger after the trip. Coach Thompson is excited to see that translate to the court.
“It was awesome, I think we all got a lot closer and kind of saw some faults in our team as far as communication,” Milligan said. “But we also saw some really good things; we all do care for each other and would do anything for each other. It’s going to be great to bring that back in the gym for preseason and incorporate the incoming freshmen into this new vibe we have.”[/text_output]
