Along with outstanding sportsmanship, high academic standards and remarkable game stats, the sense of camaraderie shown by the women's volleyball team is undeniably one of its most impressive qualities. However, more impressive still is the dedication shown by the seniors.
Tara Stradling, Logan Striebel and Chelsa Brooks are leaders on and off the court. Described by their teammates as intense, consistent and steady, the three are role models for younger players and each other.
"Tara brings order and chaos," said junior Christina Nash. "Nothing seems to faze her."
Stradling gained an interest for the sport from her older sister. She began to play in the fifth grade and hasn't stopped since. She considers the Eagles her second family.
"We are constantly together and supporting each other in volleyball, school and in general," Stradling said.
A business major from Woodbine, Md., Stradling shares setting time with Nash. Among the several games in which the senior guided her team, the game against Wisconsin at the BYU Molton Classic proved that Stradling knows what she is doing on the court. In the tournament, the setter led the Eagles with 14 assists and three service aces.
Stradling plans on attending graduate school at AU in the future. She looks forward to eventually coaching volleyball and hopes her teammates continue to work hard to become well-rounded players who can occupy any position.
Logan Striebel, who is the libero on the team, holds the most important defensive position. She is described by her teammates as a good leader both on and off the court.
"Logan is really on top of things," said junior Tessa Paganini. "She is known as the team mom."
A public communication major, Striebel came to AU foremost for its academics. However, her time on the court has not hindered her studies. In 2006, Striebel was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.
As a senior, Striebel feels her sense of accomplishment, along with the team's, is her biggest source of pride. She said she anticipates that her teammates will continue to play at a high level of volleyball.
The senior plans on staying in D.C. after graduation and hopes to coach volleyball one day. Her biggest piece of advice for younger players is to have fun.
"I always tell the girls to make sure they enjoy themselves," Striebel said. "Volleyball is a sport. It should be fun."
Chelsa Brooks, an Eagle middle blocker, is a psychology major from Hilliard, Ohio. The senior has been playing the sport since the seventh grade and hopes to travel overseas one day to continue her volleyball career. Her main piece of advice for younger players is to practice regularly and to learn the technical aspects of the sport.
Like the rest of her team, she believes academics are a main priority.
The team "holds one another accountable for [their] academic standards," she said.
Brooks is affectionately referred to by Nash as a "very intense vocal leader."
She not only uses her encouraging words to guide and support her fellow volleyball players on the court, but off the court as well.
"We are all friends," said sophomore Cynammon Burns. "We roll deep wherever we go."
All three seniors agree that their main goal for this season is to win the Patriot League. They also hope the AU student body will find interest in the sport and attend more games in Bender Arena.
You can support Stradling, Striebel, Brooks and the rest of the Lady Eagles this weekend when the team kick's off the American Volleyball Tournament Friday at 1:30 p.m. in Bender Arena.
