Nov. 18, 2014
I can’t believe that this is my last blog post of the season! This year has been filled with so much joy and also much hardship, but my teammates nor I would not trade it for anything.
As you probably already know from Twitter and other social media, we are G-MAC Champions! Friday we played Kentucky Wesleyan in the semi-finals, and we were so ready for it! The emotions and atmosphere of the game were amplified for me even more because it was my first game back since my abdominal tear! It took a whole month, but I am so blessed to have been back just in time! All three sets we played were so much fun and really just showed that we came to win. After that great match (with some great fans) on Friday against KWC, we finished off with Ohio Valley University on Saturday. They definitely brought their A-game as they took the first set from us. That woke us up and, after making some small adjustments to our game plan, we were able to play Cedarville volleyball and take the next three sets for the win! We definitely got great energy from the fans that supported us in that match as well…we couldn’t have done it without them!
When the match was said and done, trophy presented, and photo-ops finished, it sunk in: we were really done. That was our last match with our seniors. We were G-MAC Champions. These revelations came slowly, but also quickly. It’s hard to really comprehend when a season of life has ended, and I can only imagine how the seniors are feeling. Although, the fact that they had so much success, made so many memories, and gained such wonderful friendships over the years has to make it easier. They will be missed dearly on our team! A cliché that I am reminded of is that every end breeds a new beginning…regardless of the cliché it rings true! We look forward to the rest of this semester, this year, and to next season!
I am so happy to have been the blogger for the team this year, and I can only hope that I did a good job! The ability that I was given to reflect on each week was definitely a God-send and really helped the level of positivity I had throughout my injury! It is virtually impossible to really capture all that happened during the season with words, but I did my best to give you a look into what we as Cedarville volleyball players get to be a part of. Our team, coaches, fans, and families are such a blessing to us. We are loved and never are allowed to forget it. Each and every person involved with the program is appreciated by us, no matter if you are watching the live video streaming of the matches from home or are able to attend every match in person! Thank you for all of your ongoing support and encouragement this year!
Nov. 10, 2014
Wow, it’s the last week of the season! I can’t believe we have been playing volleyball for over three months now…it seems like just yesterday we stepped on the court as a unit to begin preseason! We have worked long and hard, and we look forward to leaving it all on the court this weekend at the G-MAC tournament!
Last week we had a tough loss at Findlay but a good two days of practice to round out the week! Coach Walters was nice enough to give us Friday and Saturday off, and I know we definitely enjoyed some time to relax! Alyssa Barkley turned 21 this weekend, and I know she loved having that time to celebrate her birthday! :)
This week is a go for me to be on the court - for real this time! After coming back a little too soon, my tear should be fully healed. Hopefully I will be back to my full potential this weekend…but it is in the Lord’s hands! I know I will be in some pain as I try to bring that muscle group back up to volleyball-speed, so please be praying for me this week!
We are all ready to put in a strong four days of practice this week and are planning to add another trophy to the collection already gathered this year! Congratulations are in order for the men’s soccer and mens’ and women’s cross country teams that won their G-MAC titles already this season! Way to go! We are so blessed with the talents God has given us to shine for Him. As we continue to have success as a University, I hope that we can still be humbled and know that we do all things through Him who gives us strength.
Thank you again for your ongoing support this season! Get excited for the G-MAC tournament this weekend at Cedarville, and have a wonderful week!
Nov. 4, 2014
I hope everyone had a fantastic week last week! I know Cedarville Volleyball did! We clinched the G-MAC #1 seed, got a Saturday off, and had a great time at Moonlight Madness! All in all I would say that is a good week!
So to recap, we played Central State at home on Wednesday for our last regular season home game. We came out with the W, but more importantly, we got to fellowship with the girls after the competition was over. We love playing Central State because of the relationships we have been able to form with their players, and we definitely value that more than any win.
Thursday was a big day for me, I tried to hit and block again! Unfortunately, I was in too much pain to do it for more than five minutes, but doing it for even five minutes is an improvement! The song by Casting Crowns, "Praise You In This Storm", has been my anthem throughout the healing process. I really am learning to praise the Lord during times of trial, regardless of how bleak they may seem. Also, I am finding my purpose outside of volleyball more than I ever have. I think that all athletes get caught up in their sport from time to time, but we are so much more than just athletes. The Cedarville Volleyball Team is made up of 13 daughters of the High King, Lord of Lords, and Prince of Peace. My teammates are not just talented athletes, but wonderful friends, beautiful women, and super silly girls.
Anyways, back to volleyball! I get so sidetracked with how much this team means to me! Friday we journeyed to play Ursuline and, at the same time, clinch the #1 seed for the G-MAC. We battled it out for five sets and…I already spoiled this in the beginning, but… WE WON! This means that we will host the tournament! Now, we are looking forward to a good two weeks of practice to get ready for it! I am so proud of this team!
One other event that is taking place this week is Missions Chapel. I have been chosen as the point person to share the team’s testimony about Panama, and it will most likely be included in Tuesday’s chapel! This, as you can imagine, has taken me back to Panama to reminisce on all of the experiences we shared there. One thing I don’t think I have written about too much were the interactions we had with the other teams we played, specifically the Panamanian National Team. Our ability to play at a high level allowed us to communicate with them on a plane of mutual respect. We were able to share our testimonies in their entirety, but also in bits and pieces…we were even so fortunate as to see some professions of faith. This was unique to us because of our witness through athletics. As a Cedarville team, we are not just athletes; we have an ultimate goal to share the gospel alongside the trivial success found in wins and losses. Recognizing this is what separates us from non-believers, and we strive to make that apparent in everything we do!
God Bless you all this week!
Oct. 28, 2014
First of all I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and my injury…I appreciate it more than you know! Hopefully I will be back to full capacity sometime this week! Also, another huge shout out to everyone who makes the team food. We honestly are so spoiled with all the amazing stuff we get to eat….so thank you!
Anyways, this week basically was a continuation of the last for me. I am still gaining perspective on my injury and definitely growing because of it! One thing I have definitely enjoyed while being on the bench, however, is getting to wear everyone’s rings, especially Amanda Bell’s engagement ring!! Tuesday I got to wear my rings while we were on the road at UINDY. We were so lucky to be accompanied by Dr. Geist as well! What a great temporary addition to our team! Unfortunately we ended up coming home without the W, but we then shifted our focus to our big G-MAC matches coming up.
The difference between the Kentucky Wesleyan/Trevecca weekend earlier this season and this past weekend is definitely the level of mental preparedness we showed. Last time, we took one team very seriously and the other for granted. This time, we showed exactly what we are capable of. Friday’s match was a thriller. We beat Trevecca in three, but the second set was extremely intense. We went back and forth the whole set (giving me mini heart-attacks on the bench) and the final score ended up being 35-33…a great performance by both teams!
Saturday we had to pull it together to play another tough match against Kentucky Wesleyan…and we did just that! After a rough first two sets, we turned it around and came back to win in the fifth set! What an exciting match! I am so proud of my team and the performance they put on the court this weekend! We have set ourselves up to be first in the G-MAC which hopefully means we will be hosting the tournament!
Please be praying for us this week in our studies and for me as I try to work myself back into practices!
God Bless!
Oct. 21, 2014
Hey there Yellow Jacket fans! Rachel Krikke here coming to you from the injured reserve list! I found out last Tuesday that I had been playing with a sizeable tear in my abdomen over the weekend in Florida. Ouch! Although, I think God is using this injury to give me a new perspective on volleyball so I’m just going with the flow! Prayers for healing would definitely be appreciated!
Watching from the sidelines has been different, but there are definitely advantages to it at times. It allows you to objectively view the dynamic on the court without all the adrenaline rushing through you. So, I began my watching on Tuesday night at the game at Southern Indiana. After a long bus ride, it was hard to really get going and get into the game. My girls played hard, but couldn’t pull off the win. Definitely a tough loss for us, but what else is there to do but to keep doing our best?
Coach surprised us with a day off on Thursday, and it was so nice to be able to relax! Most of the team ended up going out to dinner together and doing a little shopping at The Greene. We always enjoy getting to spend time together outside the realm of volleyball, especially when it involves good food!
Friday we got back to it with a game against Salem International. The team did a great job of playing to our level and making a statement with a win in three sets! Saturday we did the same against a much-improved Ohio Valley team, also in three sets. Now, with those under our belt, we are just that much more prepared for the week that lies ahead! I, personally, am the most excited about Senior Night on Friday!
God bless you this week!
Oct. 14, 2014
Last Thursday morning at 3:30 a.m., the Cedarville Volleyball team left campus and headed to West Palm Beach, Florida. The plan was to go, spend some time at the beach, enjoy the perfect weather, play some amazing competition, and see if we could pull off a win or two. What we didn’t plan was the emotional aspect of the weekend, and the record that went along with it.
Before the volleyball began on Friday, we took some time and went to the beach to relax. It was wonderful to just have a few hours to be the great friends that we are with no volleyball involved. I always look forward to these opportunities and never take them lightly. The rest of the day was a little rough (due to the lack of sleep and sun exposure), but we made it through practice and got some rest that night. The next morning we got up and moving to take a trip to the zoo! The Palm Beach Zoo was another way to wind down from our otherwise packed schedule this season. Post-zoo, it was time to get ready for our game against Wheeling Jesuit.
As you may already know, Wheeling Jesuit is a nationally-ranked team, and they definitely showed us that on Friday. Their style of play was unbelievable and I have so much respect for the way they played that game. On our side, however, we played one of our best games all season. We meshed well as a team and played our hearts out. It was just so fun to play volleyball! Yes we lost in four sets, but I can tell you that we fought hard through all four.
The next day we played Palm Beach Atlantic and had a great five-set match; we did this only to lose in the fifth set by two points. Definitely a heartbreaking outcome but, again, one of the best matches we have ever played and one of the most fun! After that game, all we wanted was a reward for our great performance; in our eyes, that reward should have some in the shape of a W. Instead, we went on to play a five-setter against Saint Leo that was ours for the taking. The game went back and forth, neither team missing a beat. Finally, in the fifth set, the ball was tipped out of bounds by Saint Leo’s outside hitter on our game point. The ball hit the floor, the score was then 15-13, and I was ready to celebrate! Then, our senior right-side hitter Hannah Wagner, looks at the team, then to the ref, and makes an honor call. The point was given to Saint Leo and they went on to win the game.
We were heartbroken; all we wanted was that win. Then, coach reminded us to keep an eternal perspective. We may not have won that game or that tournament, but we had won the respect and attention of everyone watching and the teams we played. Now that, in the end, was all that really mattered.
Oh, and senior Amanda Bell got engaged this weekend!!!!! I am so happy that the team got to celebrate with her and so excited for her and her fiancé Mike Woods!
Oct. 7, 2014
Hey there! Is it just me or did this week fly by? With all the games, exams, and other commitments the girls had this week, it was hard to keep track of the days! One commitment that we have made as a volleyball team is to be involved in the jail ministry. A group of us go each week to a women’s jail in Springfield and just talk to the women detained there. I haven’t gotten my chance to go this season yet, but I have heard some really great things about it! Praise the Lord for opening doors for us to share the good news of Jesus!
White Out night on Monday was a success! We had a great fan base and pulled out a win! Playing at home is always such a blessing…the support we get from our friends and family at Cedarville is amazing. Keep up the good work! We traveled to Urbana and played a great three sets against them last Wednesday! A few girls on our team, including me, are certified referees in the Ohio Valley Region. Therefore, we know many of the officials at our games, and Wednesday we knew almost all of them (Not that that had any impact on the outcome :)!
Friday we packed up for a bus ride to Kentucky Wesleyan! The time change definitely threw my sense of time for the weekend, but it did not affect our play on Friday as we accomplished a great win! As KWC is one of our rivals from last year, it was fun to win at their place! Saturday we went into Trevecca Nazarene expecting to win, and that was our downfall. After the KWC game was over, we felt as though we had the weekend in the bag. TNU came out strong and was able to take the match in five sets. As much as losing stinks sometimes, I can say that it is motivation to work even harder. However, after the match I heard some great comments about the conversations that the team had with TNU girls post-game. As much of a priority as volleyball is, spreading God’s love and his Word is of the highest degree of importance. Thankfully, we get to do that after every match!
I hope all of you have a great week! God Bless!
Sept. 29, 2014
Hey everyone! I hope all of you had a great week and a relaxing weekend! I’d like to thank all of you who prayed for our team last week in response to my last blog…we always appreciate any prayers that are sent our way!
After a long week of practice we set out for our first G-MAC games of the season looking to bring home two wins…and we did just that! Playing Alderson Broaddus is always something we look forward to solely because they are rivals of ours! Thankfully we went into that game with the right mind set and played well as a team…what a fun game to win on the road! The very next day we took on Davis & Elkins, again playing very well and winning in four sets! Alongside the challenges the teams presented on the court, they challenged us spiritually off the court as well. I am so proud of the way our team handled this, and I feel as though we each took a different lesson away from the situation.
Something that I often take for granted is how amazing my teammates are, not just as volleyball players but as sisters in Christ as well. I was reminded of this over the weekend when I got caught up talking with some of the girls in the hotel and on the bus. I thought about the fact that we are around each other 24/7, and it can be so easy to forget what the days would be like without them. Although, the conversations we have, laughter we exchange, and memories we make are all things we will carry with us for the rest of our lives. This is the kind of togetherness God intended for us to have in our relationships, and I am so thankful that we get to experience that on this on the team. John 15:12 - "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
The WHITE OUT game is Monday night!!! I know we are all so excited to continue the winning streak and, more importantly, to continue shining the light for Christ using the talents he has given us!
Go Jackets!
Sept. 23, 2014
Hello Cedarville Volleyball fans! I have been getting a lot of positive comments about the blog lately, therefore I would like to take a second to thank all of you who read the blog…I definitely appreciate you and your encouragement!
For me, this week was one where the highlights and lowlights were dramatically emphasized. Lowlight: losing to Bellarmine on Tuesday. That one was a struggle, but really drilled into our minds that no team at this level was going to be easy to beat. I think we definitely forgot what it felt like to win at that point, so much so that we weren’t sure how to respond to losing. Highlight: winning on Thursday against Northern Michigan. What an exciting match for us! Not only was it a huge win, but we got back to playing the type of volleyball we know how to play. Aggressive yet patient; calm yet energetic. Highlight: beating Shawnee State on Saturday in a five-set thriller! We really hung in there to make the fifth set our best! Highlight: so many family members were able to attend on Saturday (including mine)! Gotta love home matches on Saturdays! Looking at this past week, the highlights definitely outweigh the lowlights…Thank goodness!
Sometimes when I think about our team I forget about all the aspects. We are STUDENT-athletes, and academically everything is piling up. I have firsthand experience at how hard it can be to keep up with school, volleyball, and (maybe) social events. At this point, the season is in full swing and so is school, and I can tell you things are getting crazy. Homework, quizzes, and exams are going to be tough this semester, so please be praying for my teammates and I in our studies!
Another piece I would like to add to this edition of the blog is a snapshot of what it was like in Panama. Even though it seems like a lifetime ago, I can still vividly remember my adventures there. One experience I feel impacted the whole team was playing mud soccer with the children of the Wuonaan village. It didn’t matter if we spoke their language, played their sport, or were 8+ years older than them; all they wanted was someone to play with. After slipping and sliding around on their mud field for an hour or more, a few of the girls and I had an impromptu mud fight with the village kids. I would never have guessed balls of mud could hurt so badly! Although, the smiles on their faces were priceless, and it is one memory I know I will carry for the rest of my life. I don’t remember who shared their testimony afterward, but I know those kids were listening. The fact that we took time out of our lives to simply play with them allowed us to gain their respect and adoration. God works in all we do, even in the most simple of ways. I can only hope we made a difference in the lives of those children as they made a difference in ours.
Sept. 15, 2014
One of the things I knew I wouldn’t enjoy about writing the blog is reflecting on the bad spurts along with the good. Honestly, I knew one would come. This is not because of the girls on the team or the sport we play, but due to the nature of sport in general. Every team is going to have an off game, an off day, or an off weekend. It just so happens we compounded all three of these into one tournament. That’s just a little depressing…but as everyone reading this knows, God shapes the negative occurrences in our lives to form positive ones.
A few things that were re-emphasized for us as a team were: winning and losing is a team effort, the focus always needs to be on glorifying God and God alone, and that trust is a major part of success. With volleyball being one of the most team-oriented sports there is, all of these aspects can be applied in one way or another. From the looks of it, we are taking this past weekend as a learning experience and moving on. To sum it up, "you win some, you lose some."
Ignoring volleyball for a second, this amazing group of girls and I had some fun this weekend! A lot of parents got to attend the tournament (including mine…yay!), which brought a lot of joy to our hearts. They are such a wonderful part of our group! We also found some great chairs in the Convocation Center…it doesn’t sound like a huge deal to you, but boy did we have some fun with them. Also, per the usual, we ate some really good food. It always makes me laugh at how much the food affects our weekend in a positive light.
One thing that really stood out to me this weekend was how responsive the girls on other teams were to the notes and Bibles we gave to them after the matches. I rarely hear about the instances where opposing players don’t enjoy this, but these girls really took it to heart. After we talked to them, everyone was raving about how sweet their girl was or how much they connected with them, and that is so amazing! God works through us, win or lose, and that’s the most important part of the game for us. To think about this weekend without our Lord and Savior’s comfort is impossible, and I know we are all forever grateful to be his children!
Sept. 8, 2014
Hello all!
Wow, I can’t believe the season is already in full swing. It seems like just yesterday we were packing to leave for Panama, and now we are unpacking from a full weekend of volleyball! How the time flies….
First, things first: I love spending weekends with this wonderful group of girls! What a blessing they are to me! Aside from volleyball we always have oodles of fun. Joking with each other, making up handshakes, and eating our fill of the great food we are supplied with are just a few highlights. I can honestly say I have never seen a team as tight-knit as ours. We also had a special addition of our athletic trainers Wes and Erin this weekend! What a treat it was to have them along for the ride!
This weekend was filled with ups and downs, but overall was a success in my eyes. We went 2-2; although you all probably already know that. What you may not know is that this was a huge learning experience for me as an individual and us as a team. Playing Hillsdale was a combination of the best and worst we played this weekend in multiple different aspects. When we were playing aggressively with a ton of energy, they couldn’t hang with us. On the flipside, there were moments when the hype died down, we became complacent, and they made us pay. Coach’s favorite saying this season is, "don’t settle for mediocrity." This, I think, is the crux of the entire weekend.
Following that, one of the best qualities of the Cedarville Volleyball Team is that we are some of the fiercest competitors around. No matter what we are playing, whether it be card games or Dumb Ways to Die, losing is unacceptable. Even though we played well this weekend, we didn’t reach our potential. Knowing this, I am incredibly excited for what is coming after this weekend. Get ready for a great season folks, for the best is yet to come.
Jeremiah 29:11
Sept. 4, 2014
Hey everyone! In case you were wondering, this is the OFFICIAL Cedarville Volleyball blog! If you’re looking for information about our games, team outings, and each of the players, you’ve come to the right place! My name is Rachel Krikke, sophomore middle hitter, and I am so excited to have the chance to blog this season! I am from Cleveland, Ohio (which is not as cool as Colorado or California), but still a good 3 1/2 hours from campus. My roommate is our very own setter, Kristin Cardwell, so you may be getting some indirect input from her every so often as well - Lucky you!
The sports information department does a great job of covering the actual match scores and outcomes each week, so I may leave those specifics up to them and just share the stuff you don’t see in the statistical analysis.
We also have a team Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/cedarvillevolleyball), twitter feed (@cedarvillevball), and now Instagram page (cedarvillevball)! You can expect me to share bits and pieces about the Panama trip from my perspective and some insider information about what goes on between us gals!
If you don’t know much about the team, there are a few things that sum us up. One: we love the Lord and seek every opportunity to exemplify him. Two: we love each other more than anything in the world. Three: volleyball is our passion and our release, and we give it 100% every day in the gym. Four: we eat like it’s nobody’s business, and anyone who gives us food is our new best friend. Five: we love to meet new people, so feel free to come up to any one of us after a game and talk!
Again, I am so excited to blog about the team this year! It looks like we are going to have an amazing season on and off the court - which means there will be a lot to share! If you ever have any questions my email is rachelkrikke@cedarville.edu, feel free to email me whenever!
Philippians 4:6-7
Rachel Krikke is a sophomore at Cedarville University from North Royalton, Ohio and and is a Dean's List student majoring in business.
