The Wabash Volleyball Club started in 2000 as an informal way to play the sport. Open gym times turned into general practices, and as interest improved the team began traveling to regional tournaments. Although the team is becoming progressively more intense, all abilities are welcome to participate and learn this competitive sport.

 

2000-2001:     Freshmen Michael Bricker ‘04 and Christopher Borm ‘04 organize a small group of students and faculty who begin playing volleyball twice a week. Professor Mike Axtell of the Mathematics Department agrees to advice (and play with) the team. During the spring semester, the Student Senate recognizes the club as such and funds volleyballs and t-shirts. The team has its first and only match of the season against Earlham.

2001-2002:     Bricker takes on leadership as President, and Borm continues work as Treasurer. With this second ‘season,’ the team joins the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball Association (MCVA) and begins traveling to larger tournaments to play larger teams. The Loyola Invitational in Chicago marks the team’s first ever tournament – two additional tournaments in Illinois also follow this year.

2002-2003:      As Bricker takes the fall semester abroad, Borm and sophomore Mike Hetrick continue organizing practices and soliciting more funds. Borm succeeds in getting Student Senate money to pay for almost all requested travel, fees, and equipment. Borm and Hetrick initiate increasingly difficult practices, provoking the team to become more competitive and knowledgeable about the sport. The team takes 5^th place in a fall St. Louis University Tournament, and with Bricker’s return, Wabash travels to three more tournaments in the spring.

2003-2004:     Now seniors, Bricker and Borm challenge underclassmen to become more involved with club. Bricker steps into a solely coaching/playing position and Borm focuses on league information and travel organization. Freshmen Brock Johnson and Eric Slabaugh begin organizing recruitment and publicity, and freshman Arndell Aycht steps into the treasurer’s position.

Unsatisfied with the game play of the MCVA, Wabash decides to join the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA). Wabash is accepted into this limited league and immediately attends two preseason fall tournaments – one of which is the Michigan State Hardwood Invitational which hosts 40 Division 1 teams and 20 Division 2 and 3 teams. Wabash places respectfully in 8^th.

Three required league tournaments will occur this spring semester. The first at Miami University of Ohio, the second at Wabash College, and the final at Northern Illinois. The Wabash game day marks the first ever major volleyball event at the college.