Devin Schelske, sports editor

Photo of Augsburg volleyball players celebrating a kill against Wartburg at the Augsburg University Invitational on Sept. 8, taken by Kevin Healy

In the last decade, the Augsburg Volleyball team has been one of the most consistent winning teams on campus. The 2022 season extended their winning season streak to 13 in a row, excluding the 2020 season. 

Head Coach Jane Becker took over the team in 2010 and has easily defined herself as the most successful of all Augsburg Volleyball coaches. Out of any volleyball head coach, the Auggies have won the most conference titles and qualified for the most NCAA National Tournaments under Coach Becker. She was also the quickest to reach 200 career wins with 10 seasons surpassing Coach Marilyn Florian (1981-1998) who did it in 13. “I think a big thing that Jane has implemented into this program is a good team culture and togetherness. We owe a lot of our success to being able to play with one another and work for the person next to us, not just for ourselves,” reflected senior Outside Hitter Bri Van Well in an interview with the Echo.

Augsburg lost all three of their all-conference honor players to graduation in the Spring, so who are the players to watch? Junior Libero Torrie Rehder currently leads the team in digs with 122 and will likely be the teams most dominant defender in matches to come. “She’s really stepped up to being a leader on the court and has demanded a presence every game,” said Van Well about Rehder. Junior Defensive Specialist Angel Vo leads the team in assists with 129 and 85 digs. Van Well also leads the team as third in the MIAC with 111 kills. Her unreturnable attacks will be a persisting issue for opponents throughout the season. A newcomer to watch is sophomore Libero Brier Ziemer, a transfer from Metropolitan State-Denver. She has already contributed 85 digs and 24 assists in her first year as an Auggie.

So far in the 2023 season, the Auggies hold an even 4-4 record. The season started well with three wins and a hardfought loss at the Haverford College invitational. Unfortunately, the Auggies had a poor showing at home with only one win and three losses at the Augsburg University Invitational. However, the most important part of the season for any sports team is conference play which hasn’t started yet. 

Some of the top conference teams currently are Gustavus and St. Benedict. Gustavus has won the conference two years in a row and is already off to a hot 8-1 start. St. Benedict is sitting at a solid 6-2 record and enjoying a three game win streak. Augsburg is back in action on Sept. 15 at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Invitational. Conference play opens up on Sept. 20 at the College of St. Benedict.