While the goal for WSU volleyball coach Susan Clements this year was to set up a new era for the program and not focus on wins and losses, their record was lopsided.
The team ended its season with a 2-30 record, and the only wins came against Saint Peter’s and Chicago State. WSU failed to win any conference games (0-14) and missed the Horizon League Tournament.
“At the beginning of the year we struggled with consistency,” freshman libero Katie Glassmeyer said. “We’d get on highs and lows, and it was like a roller coaster.”
Glassmeyer thought the team allowed opponents to get on runs far too often.
“They’d score three points and we’d score one. They’d score four, we’d score two,” Glassmeyer said.
Clements called this year “the start of a whole new program.” The seniors who endured this transitional season were supposed to be the foundation of a new future of WSU volleyball.
The team set many goals for this season. One left unachieved was qualification for the Horizon League Tournament. Glassmeyer says that the team instead adopted the spoiler role in the conference and tried to ruin the seasons of conference opponents.
“We already knew we weren’t going to make it,” Glassmeyer said. “We just wanted to screw it up for the other teams.”
Glassmeyer admits the losses, which piled up throughout the season, did take a toll on her.
“It was hard,” Glassmeyer said. “It’s really mentally taxing to go through the season and keep losing. But we knew it was for the good of the program.”
Glassmeyer remains optimistic for the program and believes its fortune can change during her remaining three years at WSU.
“I’m excited,” Glassmeyer said. “The coaches said the class coming in is one of the most athletic recruiting classes they’ve had.”
Looking at next year’s roster, Raider fans will notice a significant amount of turnover.
Kenzie Egan, Ashleigh Lucco, Dani Branco and Mariah Nussbaum will graduate this year, and while Glassmeyer couldn’t provide specifics, two more players from this year’s roster will not be returning next season. In total, six positions need to be filled.
Junior Heidi Splinter will finish out her collegiate career next season and will provide the Raiders with experience for what will likely be a young WSU squad.
Clements told Glassmeyer leadership will be fall on her as well next fall.
“She (Clements) said she would like me to take a leadership role because I’m libero and I’m on the court a lot,” Glassmeyer said.
