Bethel University Magazine Spring 2021

Playing a sport requires commitment and resiliency. But even for the most focused individuals and teams, the COVID-19 pandemic presented unimaginable obstacles. Perhaps that is what made %HWKHOŠV :RPHQŠV 9ROOH\EDOO 7HDP ZLQ DW WKH 1&&$$ 1DWLRQDO Championship such an accomplishment. Ţ,W WDNHV D ORW WR ZLQ D FKDPSLRQVKLS ,W WDNHV VXFK IRFXV DQG KDUG ZRUN DQG WKLV WHDP GLG WKDW VR ZHOO LQ WKH PLGVW RI D JOREDO SDQGHPLF ţ VD\V +HDG &RDFK .DWLH :HLVV Š Ţ, DP VR SURXG RI WKHP DQG , DP VR JUDWHIXO WR *RG DQG KRZ KH SURWHFWHG XV DQG NHSW XV VDIH ţ One of the greatest challenges was maintaining a healthy mindset and attitude. The teamwas aware of the need for contact tracing, testing and all the other complications of COVID-19. Ţ>7KLV FKDPSLRQVKLS@ KDV EHHQ \HDUV LQ WKH PDNLQJ ŝ FUHDWLQJ D championship mindset within our team. A healthy team culture takes WLPH WR EXLOG DQG , WKLQN ZH DUH ƃQDOO\ VWDUWLQJ WR UHDS WKH EHQHƃWV RI \HDUV RI ZRUN ţ :HLVV VDLG She saw this as a well-deserved win for the entire team, especially the seniors. 3D\WRQ +DUW VHQLRU DQG D VWDUWHU VDLG Ţ:LQQLQJ 1&&$$ 1DWLRQDOV DV D VHQLRU ZDV RQH RI WKH EHVW H[SHULHQFHV , KDG DW %HWKHO , IHHO VR KRQRUHG WR EH D SDUW RI %HWKHO YROOH\EDOO DQG , DP VR WKDQNIXO *RG KDV EOHVVHG PH ZLWK DPD]LQJ IULHQGV DQG WHDPPDWHV WR VKDUH WKH PHPRULHV ZLWK ţ But, the season is not over. The team is headed to the NAIA Division I Tournament in late April. The only other time the teammade it there ZDV LQ ZKHQ &RDFK :HLVV ZDV D %HWKHO SOD\HU :KLOH WKLV SXWV more stress on the players and coaches mentally and physically, they are thankful for the ability to play more volleyball. Freshman Maddy Payne described the entire situation, in the midst of a pandemic, as humbling. Ţ7KH JLUOV ZH KDYH DUH DPD]LQJ 7KH\ŠUH DOO VR JHQXLQH DQG IXQ , DP VR SURXG WR SOD\ EHVLGH WKHP ZLQ RU ORVH ţ 3D\QH VDLG BY 46.&3 4$)*/%-&3 e 92//(<%$// 7($0 :,16 19