Building chemistry, building wins: USF women’s volleyball makes a return to the top

The USF women’s volleyball team has been making noise in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). The team has not finished as a top four team since 2016, the year of their last conference title. This year however, coach Cara Currier has flipped the script, leading the team to the most conference wins since that first place finish. 

One thing that coach Currier mentioned about the team’s success this year has been their improved level of chemistry. 

“I do think it’s been a concerted effort to build and have really good chemistry,” coach Currier said. “We didn’t have bad chemistry last year, we just kind of lacked chemistry. So we have worked and we have put a lot of effort into building that culture.” 

The team has been led this season by senior Riley Hungate, who is one of two captains for the team. Hungate leads the team in kills and points in the season, and earned the honor of CCAC attacking player of the week on Sept. 30. 

A main component that Hungate has seen in their play this season has been the elevated level of leadership by all members of the team. 

“It’s definitely been something that everyone wants to be a part of. Everyone wants to be a leader in a way,” Hungate said. “I feel like when we’re constantly looking to just one person, it doesn’t work out… I think that the fact that everybody is so willing to take accountability and want to be that person that people can look to, it just works out really well.” 

Along with Hungate, two other players have won CCAC player of the week awards. Sophomore Annie Simon was CCAC defensive player of the week for the week of Sept. 9, while fellow sophomore Alyssa Teske was named CCAC attacking player of the week on Sept. 23.

One of the biggest challenges that the team has faced over the course of the season has been a series of player injuries. There have been multiple players who have had to spend an extended period of time out of the lineup because of an injury. Despite this however, the depth that this team brings to the table has helped their continued success throughout the season. 

“It’s been amazing just to see the kids step in and compete for the holes that have opened. They keep just working and pushing hard and recognize it’s a whole team effort,” coach Currier said. “The success that we’re having is so much beyond just the specific kids that are getting out on the court. The bench and everyone on the team is working as hard as they can to push themselves and each other in practice which has elevated our game.”

With their top four finish, the Saints will host a playoff game at the Pat Sullivan Center for the first time in almost a decade. Along with this, they will also be aiming for their first playoff win since making the NAIA national tournament in 2016. While in a conference with many good teams, Hungate is optimistic at their chances in the tournament. 

“I think we can definitely make it to the conference championship and the opening round of NAIA nationals,” Hungate said. “ It’s kind of hard to say where we’ll go from there. It depends who we match up with and if we show up, but as long as we can do that we can go far.”