Chance to play at home allows QU women’s volleyball team to further enhance its legacy

QUINCY — No buses. No hotel rooms. No scheduling deliveries from Jimmy Johns or Papa Johns or any other ready-to-eat restaurant that would allow the Quincy University women’s volleyball team to get back on the road as quickly as possible.

This week has been a study in immersion.

The Hawks are immersed in volleyball and nothing else, allowing them to find the focus necessary to chase their dream of reaching the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

“It’s been easier for us to be focused this week being at home,” senior setter Makayla Knoblauch said. “We’ve had kind of a crazy travel schedule, and we love playing in Pepsi Arena. So it’s been easier for us to get back in the groove, back in the film room, back in the right frame of mind. It’s been refreshing to be back home.”

It’s a place the Hawks know and love.

Quincy is 22-3 in Pepsi Arena the past three seasons and went 5-1 at home this season, including an epic five-set victory over Lewis. Now, the Hawks get to make their first NCAA Midwest Regional appearance in their own gym beginning Thursday.

“We are blessed enough to play in our home gym one last time,” senior outside hitter Mattison Norris said. “How many seniors get to say, ‘I thought I was done but I get another chance in the gym that I love with the people that I love.’? We get to do that.”

The Hawks also get to chase an NCAA Tournament title for the first time in program history. At 27-2 and 19-2 against in-region opponents, Quincy earned the top seed in the Midwest Region and the right to play host to the regional.

It makes playing for a spot in the Elite Eight a reality, not just a dream.

“We’ve all had our eyes on the prize,” senior outside hitter Emily Rehagen said. “We thought it was the prize of the GLVC championship. Little did we know we were going to be ranked first in our region and be where we are at this point. We had our eyes set on one thing, but we have so many things left to accomplish.”

It starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against eighth-seeded Northern Michigan in the regional quarterfinals.

“We all have the same mindset,” sophomore outside hitter Emma Wijnbergen said. “We know we have the home court advantage, and we’ve been working all season for this moment. This week has been the most important week we’ve had, and everyone is having fun and staying motivated.”

The excitement level has reached a new peak.

“I’d say 10 out of 10 for sure,” sophomore libero America Galvan said. “Everyone has shown up this week, and it takes everyone. We’ve emphasized that since Day 1. We need everybody to challenge each other and make each other better. Everybody has to be focused from the moment of stepping in the gym for warmups all the way through.”

The Hawks have met that challenge time and again.

“At practice, we challenge each other,” Rehagen said. “That’s what makes our game so fluid, because we’re already challenged in practice. … Nothing was given to us. Everything was earned.”

That includes a legacy, one that won’t be complete until the last match is complete.

“Now that we have everyone on board, how can we push our level of commitment and desire?” Norris said. “How can we push this program to be successful? What kind of legacy do we want to leave? People are going to remember you one way or another, at least you hope so.

“How will they remember you and what legacy are you going to leave? It’s going to be on you to create that legacy.”

This team has forged an unforgettable one.