Cedarville University Yellow Jackets

November 15, 2021

Hey Jackets Fans!

This BLOG is going to be a little bit different than most because, unfortunately, it is my last one :(

I first would like to say thank you all so much for following along these past two years. I am so grateful I got the chance to use this BLOG to share some of the highs and lows throughout our seasons. I am also thankful for the support that you show to our team. We are extremely grateful for all of the prayers, financial support, and, of course, the cheers at our matches.

First, let’s recap this past week. It was definitely a strange one for the team, especially for this group of seniors because we knew that Thursday would be the final match of our Cedarville careers. The G-MAC decided to only allow the top six teams to enter the post-season tournament this year instead of the usual top eight teams. We were #7. Though we had such a strong end to our last 11 matches, going 8-3, the start of our season was rocky and didn’t put us in the best position to make the tournament. However, Coach Smith helped get our team in a better mental space, and we determined that we would fight to end our final season with a win. We had a typical week of practice, preparing for our final match against Ohio Dominican last Thursday. When it was finally game day, our team was ready to go.
 

There were definitely a variety of emotions throughout the day, but we knew the minute we stepped on the court, it was time to compete. We did our final team traditions, including the pregame selfie and dance party in the locker room. It was bittersweet to be a part of that with this team one more time. From the very beginning of the match, you could tell how badly we wanted this win. And…WE GOT IT! We swept the #2 team in the South Division. Earlier in the season, Ohio Dominican beat us in three sets (25-19, 27-25, and 25-17), so that was a sweet upset victory for our team. Each set on Thursday was intense with scores of 27-25 and 25-20, but in the third and final set, we stepped on the gas and won 25-13. I still remember the last point. It was full of joy and tears. Four of the six seniors were on the court for that point, making it so much sweeter. I am incredibly proud of this team for pulling out this win, even among some challenging circumstances we have faced throughout the season. Not many teams get to end their season with a win on their home court. I am so grateful that we were able to finish in that way.

After the match, we prayed and talked with the players on Ohio Dominican. This team has always been a tough challenge each year, and they are such a great group to talk with after matches. I am glad we got to finish playing against this group. We had our team huddle and then shared a bunch of hugs and tears. The feeling of being done playing a sport that I have put years of hard work into is a weird and bittersweet feeling. However, everything must come to an end, and I wouldn’t have wanted it to end any other way. This team made my senior season one to remember. I love these girls and I love this school. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to play college volleyball at Cedarville University.
 
Alright, enough with the sappy stuff. To conclude my final BLOG, I asked the seniors what they would like to say to Cedarville volleyball. These are their words:

Sara Beste: “I’ve loved playing volleyball at Cedarville for many reasons but mostly because of the friendships I’ve made. There is something special about being on a team with sisters who love what you love! We may not come from the same background but we all have a passion for volleyball! Together on and off the court, these girls are family!”

Sami Gibbs: “It’s been an honor to be a part of this program on and off as education has allowed throughout the past five years. Volleyball at Cedarville was my first integrated experience with my faith and sports being fused together. I adore all the people I’ve met and friendships made that I will continue to have years after leaving here. So blessed to be part of this team, not just on the court.”

Emily Jastrzemski: “In my four years as a volleyball player, I have learned so much about how to love others and work together toward a common goal. I will miss the opportunity to spend early mornings, late nights, and everything in between with my teammates!!! It was such a joy to be a part of our CUVB family, and I will miss it every day!!”

Liene Miller: “I will miss bus rides together as a team and our pregame rituals the most. I will also miss getting to work hard in the gym every day and getting better.”

Emily Ward: “One thing I will miss the most about Cedarville volleyball is the sisterhood with all the girls, fun bus rides, team selfies and many dance parties. Cedarville volleyball has given me some of my best friends that I will have for a lifetime.”

Lauren Willow: “I will always remember my time at Cedarville and the many lessons that I have learned. God placed coaches and girls on this team who loved me and challenged me to grow on and off the court. They helped me to fully see that we play for a purpose greater than the game. I will miss all of the fun little and big moments in my five years as a Lady Yellow Jacket.”

And finally, myself. I would like to say that Cedarville volleyball has taught me despite whatever you are going through, despite the challenges you will face, despite the pain you are enduring, you have a purpose and a worth that is far greater than anything on this earth. You are living for the Creator of the universe, the King of Kings. He is using you for things that you may not even realize and that is the greatest benefit and gift of all. Volleyball has shown me this in several ways and I am so thankful for the memories and experiences that will last for a very long time. Thank you CUVB.

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Officially signing off :)

With love,

Maddie #15


November 8, 2021

Hey Jackets!

This was definitely a special week for our team because we finally had two home matches and got to celebrate the seniors at our match on Saturday. Throughout the week, we knew we had two big matches ahead of us, so intensity was high. Both Ashland and Tiffin beat us earlier in the season, so we were ready for another chance to compete against them.

With that being said, our team had to face some pretty tough challenges this week. It is around the time of year when students start getting sick, and as athletes it is hard to get the necessary rest time to fully heal. A few of us were getting over some illnesses as we trained each day. Unfortunately, one of our seniors, Emily Ward, was unable to be with us this week, which definitely hurt our team. Losing one of our senior leaders for two matches was a hard adjustment and we especially missed her on Senior Day. We can’t wait to get her back!

By Friday, we were excited for the challenge ahead of us, facing Ashland University first. We had great fan turnout for the “White Out” theme – 1,300 total! We were so thankful for the crowd participation as we faced the #1 team in our division. Unfortunately, we did fall short, losing in four sets to Ashland. We definitely competed against them better than we did in the first match of the season, but their defense was very tough, and it was hard to get kills against them. We had a lot of long rallies, which were crowd favorites! Ashland is a very talented team, but that loss fueled us for the match against Tiffin on Saturday.

Saturday morning, we had our team devo session and got ready for the day. The underclassmen decorated the locker room and got all of the seniors a small gift with some personal letters written by each of them. When we got in the gym, it was all decorated and each senior had a poster board full of pictures with girls on the team. It was genuinely the best little surprise and I am so incredibly thankful for the team for making the pre-match senior celebration so special.

Before the match, each senior was recognized on the court. Our coaches also surprised each of us with our jersey displayed in a nice frame, personalized with our name. That was such a fun gift, and I know we were all so thankful for that surprise. I, along with Lauren Willow, Liene Miller, Emily Jastrzemski, Emily Ward, and Sami Gibbs, are blessed to have gotten to be a part of this team and it is sad to think that our athletic career at Cedarville is coming to a close. I am thankful for all that God has taught me through Cedarville Volleyball.
 
Now, back to the match. Not only did the seniors feel so loved and celebrated, we topped off Senior Day with a solid team win against Tiffin University! Earlier in the season, Tiffin beat us in four sets, however, on Saturday, we swept them in three sets. It was such a great comeback after Friday night and I am so proud of this team. We really played together that day and implemented all the things we had been working on in practice throughout the week.

This coming week will be our last week of regular season. We will be competing against Ohio Dominican on Thursday in Callan for one last home match. I am excited to see the growth we will make this week in preparation for our final match against ODU.

Thank you again for following along this week. I continue to ask for your prayers for Emily Ward, as she is struggling with being away from the team, and for the safety and health for the rest of team. We really appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers for us as we finish up our season.

Finally, I want to leave you with a verse. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me…”  Remember this as you go throughout your days. Because Christ lives in us, we set aside our selfish desires and ambitions and submit those to Him. I desire that others will see Christ in me by surrendering to Him daily and allowing Him to live through me.

Thank you guys and I will "CU at the match" this Thursday night for our final home match!

With love,

Maddie #15


November 1, 2021

Hey Cedarville Jackets!

 

We were back on the road again this past week for the start of the second round conference matches against Trevecca and Kentucky Wesleyan. We had a solid week of practices and were ready to go. This week we were thankful to add another player, Sara Beste, to our team for the remainder of the season. Due to injuries, we still didn’t have the numbers we needed in order to prepare and scrimmage in practices. Sara Beste was a former player in the 2018 and 2019 season and is a current senior. We were all so excited to have her back this year with our team. After practice on Thursday afternoon, we all loaded the bus and headed to Tennessee. We were so happy to have the comfy “sleeper” bus again. We definitely like to travel in style ;)

The majority of the day Friday was spent doing homework and chilling in the hotel. We were all able to sleep in, yet also get quite a bit of school work done. Later in the afternoon, we departed the hotel and had a team dinner at Applebee’s. Finally, we headed to Trevecca for the match. This match did not go as we hoped, and unfortunately, we lost in three sets. Though Trevecca had a solid game and has been very successful this season, we didn’t play the way we had been playing in practice all week. It was a very frustrating loss and none of us were happy about it. I think it got us more fired up for Saturday’s match against Kentucky Wesleyan. That night, we left Trevecca and drove to Kentucky.

Saturday morning, we were ready to go. We had a team pre-match meal at Cracker Barrel and were prepared to take on Kentucky Wesleyan. It was Kentucky Wesleyan’s senior night, so we knew that they were going to come out hard. We had a slow start to the match, but we fought hard and ended up sweeping the Panthers in three sets, 28-26, 25-17, 25-22. It was a solid win and got us in a good place to prepare for some tough matches this coming week. Of course, on our bus ride back, we celebrated with some Olive Garden and frozen custard from Freddy’s.
   
We arrived home safely on Saturday night and got some good rest this weekend. This upcoming week is going to be a big week for our team. We have two home matches against two teams currently ranked above us, Ashland and Tiffin. Friday night’s match against Ashland is White Out Night, so come dressed in white!  We need a huge crowd to show that Jacket spirit as we take on the Eagles! On Saturday, we are celebrating our six seniors and their contributions to Cedarville Volleyball. It is crazy to think that my time playing volleyball is coming close to an end. We hope that you will all come out and support our team this week on Friday and Saturday in Callan. Thank you all for following along. We are always so thankful.

I have a verse to end this week’s blog. Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us.” Go throughout each day with the confidence that God is in you and with you.

CU at the match this Friday!

With love,

Maddie #15





October 25, 2021

Hey CU Jackets!

It was finally time for a HOME MATCH for the CU Jackets this past weekend! Our team has been on the road traveling every weekend since September 17. We were so ready to get back on our home court this week against Lake Erie and Ursuline.

This week was definitely a little different because one of our outside hitters was injured in the Crossover Tournament, which meant we only had one healthy outside hitter left in our lineup (the other two have been injured the majority of the season). Because of this, we had to switch up some people, putting them in different positions. It was definitely a challenge, but our players were ready to take on whatever role necessary for the good of the team.

 

We also got to pull up a new addition from the JV team. Her name is Bria, and she has been such a great addition to the team and a huge help filling that outside position. After several good practices this week, we were in a better place for our matches.

Friday afternoon, we got together for our team devotion. At each home match, we choose a professor or someone at the university to lead the devotion and prayer before the match. For this match, we had the privilege of having the president of the university, Dr. White, led us. He shared such an amazing devotion and it really helped inspire and motivate us. We won Friday’s match against Lake Erie in three sets. It was definitely a great win for our team, however, there were still some areas that we needed to improve for Saturday’s match against Ursuline.

After the match on Friday, the athletic department held a “candy walk” for students to walk around to each sports team’s table and get some candy from them. It was a great way to get the student-athletes and students more familiar with each other. Our team had a great time handing out candy to all the fans who came and supported our team.
 
Saturday morning, our team had a quick practice session in the gym before our team devotion. We had a few things that we needed to work on before the match to help get us ready. We also got the chance to surprise our Head Coach, Greg Smith, with his wife, Erica Smith, as our “honorary assistant coach” for the match. It was a sweet and fun surprise. We had a much stronger game on Saturday with great blocking and an efficient offense. We beat Ursuline in four sets. It was another good win for our team, which should help us as we continue to improve our conference standing. Our team really came together and did what we needed to do to finish the weekend strong. This is the first weekend that we have gone 2-0 and it definitely feels good!

Our next two matches will be back on the road this week against Trevecca and Kentucky Wesleyan. Again, these two matches will be extremely important for our team. We will be working and training hard this week for the matches.

To end this week’s blog, I would love to share a little bit about the devotion I read last night. The verses it focused on wwere Psalm 139:1-12. I encourage you to take a minute to read these verses. The Lord knows every single part of you. No matter what you are going through or struggling with, He knows and He continues to love you through it all. These verses are powerful and I will continue to come back to them when going through some challenges and struggles in my personal life. I hope that you find them encouraging as well.

Thank you all for following along again. We are so thankful for the support each week!

With love,

Maddie #15


October 18, 2021

Hey Jacket Fans!

After our big win against Findlay last week, our team was ready to continue working for some more wins, and this week we got to compete in one of the most fun tournaments of the year, the Midwest Region Crossover Tournament. We enter this tournament each year and get to play teams from the GLIAC and GLVC conferences, which have some of the best teams in the country. It is always a fun weekend full of really tough competition. This is also our “Fall Break” weekend, so even though it’s a long, busy weekend, we are able to get some much needed rest since we have a break from classes.

Our team left campus Thursday afternoon, and arrived in Hammond, Indiana for a quick practice session at the Hammond Sportsplex and Community Center. After our practice, we got some delicious pizza at MOD Pizza and then went bowling for a fun team bonding activity! This has become a tradition each year at the Crossover Tournament since we always have some down time in between our matches. Bowling was a blast, but afterwards, we were all tired and ready to get some rest before our three matches on Friday and Saturday.

Friday morning, we got to sleep in and get some homework done before our first match of the weekend. We got our pre-game meal at Panera and were ready to play. Friday, we took on the University of Illinois - Springfield, who is in the GLVC, at 2:30 p.m. This match was a great start to the tournament because we beat them in five sets. It was such a long match and both teams really started off strong. I’m proud we were able to find the fight to finish the long match with a win. That night, we celebrated by getting milkshakes and food at Chick-fil-A. We knew Saturday was going to be a long day, so after getting back to the hotel, we went to bed to get needed rest.

Saturday morning, we left the hotel around 7:30 a.m. for our match against Davenport at 9:30 a.m. We started off the match very strong, beating a very talented team 25-22. However, we then lost our rhythm and momentum, and we were not able to come back, eventually losing the match in four sets. Davenport had some serious talent on their team, however. We also did not play at the level that we should have been that morning. Though this was a frustrating loss, we had one more match later that afternoon against another solid team.

After getting lunch, we spent the day watching our fellow G-MAC teams compete. One of the best parts about this tournament is the support that each conference shows for one another. At our match on Friday, both Tiffin and ODU were cheering us on. Saturday morning, Hillsdale came to watch, also cheering us on. I love seeing the support of the teams in our conference.

Finally, it was time for our final match of the tournament against Truman State. We had a slow start to the match, but pulled out an awesome win in four sets. Again, both teams showed some fight, but I am so proud of the finish that we were able to have.

After the match, we headed back home. We stopped at Portillo’s in Indiana, which is a well-known and popular burger restaurant. Unfortunately, we had quite a long wait in the restaurant, but once we finally got our food, we were back on the road and enjoying some delicious burgers. We were thankful that we got to travel on the “sleeper bus” this weekend since we were all so tired and since were travelling late into the night. We ended up getting back to campus around 3:00 a.m. Wow. What a long day!

This coming week, after over a month of away games, we FINALLY have our next HOME MATCH!!!! We have been traveling for too long, and are so ready to compete in our home gym. Come out and support us in Callan against Lake Erie on Friday (7 PM) and Ursuline on Saturday (3 PM).

To end this (long) blog, I want to leave you with a verse: I Peter 4:10 says, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” I encourage you all to find one way that you can serve someone this week with the gifts God has given you.

Last thing, I promise. This week, Cedarville Athletics will be taking over the G-MAC Instagram stories each day of the week. Each Instagram story will show a typical day in the life of one of our student-athletes. I get the chance to represent the volleyball team on Friday, October 22. Follow along as I take you throughout a typical “game” day.

G-MAC Instagram: @greatmidwestac

Thank you all for following along!! CU at the match this Friday at 7:00 p.m.!

With love,

Maddie #15


October 11, 2021

Hey CU Volleyball Fans!!

Yet another long week on the road! We definitely had a lot of work to do this week to prepare for our two matches against Hillsdale and Findlay, the #1 and #2 teams in the North Division of the G-MAC. It’s also that time in the semester when school is really picking up: midterms, papers, projects, presentations, you name it. We are busy! But, we didn’t let that stop us from getting in some good practice on the court.

Friday afternoon, we took the trip to Hillsdale College in Michigan to compete against the undefeated Chargers. They are four time defending G-MAC champions and a very talented group of girls. Unfortunately, we fell short, losing in three sets. However, the first two sets we competed back and forth the majority of the sets, but we simply failed to finish each set, losing 25-19 and 25-21. Yet again, we are showing signs of really great volleyball and we are working so hard to be more consistent in our play.

This loss definitely hurt us a little more than normal. We were a bit emotional afterwards because we love this sport and this game so much that we are ready to get a win. Beating the Chargers is a goal we have had for some time.

Friday night, we got on the bus and drove from Hillsdale, Michigan to Findlay, Ohio. We settled in the hotel and got a good night’s sleep because we needed to get prepared to compete again the next day.

Saturday morning, we had a nice pre-match meal at Panera. Again, we were ready to get to work on the court. Guess what? WE TOOK DOWN THE UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY in five sets! It was an intense match. We didn’t lose the fight to win the entire match. The first set started a little slower than we had hoped, losing 25-22, but that just made us more determined. We took the next two sets, winning 25-21 in both. We fell just short in the fourth set, losing 25-21, but then gave everything we had in the fifth set, winning 15-12! Both teams fought hard, but this was definitely a well-deserved win that we needed.

After the last point, we all stormed the court, cheering, screaming, and hugging. I am so proud of this team win. It was definitely a win I will not forget.

Of course, we followed tradition and got ice cream at a local ice cream shop in Findlay. We have been wanting this ice cream so bad and we earned it! We stopped at Chick-fil-A and got back on the road to head home. Our energy is high, our focus is renewed, and we are ready to take on another week.

Before I close, I want to share some thoughts that relate to what our team has been going through. Life is going to be full of ups and downs. Even when things don’t go exactly the way we want them to go, God is with us and He knows our needs and desires. This season has been full of adversity for us. It’s easy to want to give up and stop trying when things get difficult. However, God is so intentional with the things He puts in our lives and how He helps us overcome.  We must keep our eyes on Him.  He is with us every step of the way – through the highs and the lows. We must keep going and keep trusting in God and His goodness. He is guiding us exactly where we need to be. Joshua 1:9 says, “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Thank you all again for following along on this crazy journey of a season. I love getting to update you each week and was especially excited to tell you about our big win. We are on the road one more weekend and then are back in Callan, October 22 and 23. We can’t wait to “CU at the Match”!
 
Now, enjoy some more of the pre-match selfies that our team took before this week’s matches.

With love,

Maddie #15


October 4, 2021

Hey Cedarville Volleyball Fans!

Thank you all again for following along with me this season. This past week was a long week, with three matches against Ohio Dominican (ODU), Malone, and Walsh. Again, we were on the road traveling to each of these schools.

Tuesday afternoon, we loaded the bus and headed to ODU. We knew they were going to be a tough team to beat this year. We have been working to get a win again, however, we fell short again against ODU. We lost the match in three sets. After losing the first set 25-19, a spark was lit and we got fired up in the second set. It was definitely a closer set, however, we ended up barely losing 27-25. By the last set, we seemed to have just beaten ourselves and lost 25-17. ODU is a talented team this year, however, we were not able to do what we needed to get the win.

After the match on Tuesday, we needed to re-evaluate a lot of things on our team. We had a long session of film following the match which was very beneficial for our team to drill down on  the details and focus on what we can be improving on as individuals and as a team in future practices. This was definitely a big eye-opener for our team. We were ready to continue working for the next several matches, because, again, our conference is very talented this year and no win will come easily.

After a solid practice on Thursday, our team was ready for another weekend to compete and prove ourselves. Friday, we left for our trip to Malone. We had a nice surprise, and got to take the “sleeper” bus.  It is a giant coach bus filled with couches, TV’s and 16 bunk beds! It is definitely the team’s favorite way to travel :)

Friday night, we finally got the win we have been working for! We beat Malone in three sets, winning 25-21, 25-17, and 28-26. We finally found some fight in us to finish out the match with a solid win. Our play was a lot more consistent and there were some fun moments of high intensity. We ended the night going to one of our favorite restaurants, Piata, and of course we got the well-earned ice cream that coach always promises us after a road win. We have been wanting this ice cream for a while now! Later that night we got to the hotel, and got in bed, ready for another tough match on Saturday.

Saturday morning, we had a team breakfast and scouting session. Walsh has been a very solid team and is always a challenge for us. We were ready to take them on.

It was a very intense match, going back and forth for the majority of the match. However, we again, fell just short losing the match in five sets. Though we had great moments, we are still missing that extra “fight” to finish out close matches with a victory. We won the first set 27-25, lost the second 26-24, won the third 25-23, lost the fourth 25-14, and finally lost the fifth 15-11. Once we find that consistency, we will start getting more wins.

After the match, we left the gym and headed home that afternoon. Though we are still disappointed on the losses, we are seeing great improvement and growth. Now, we have to implement it into the tough competitions.

To end today’s blog, I want to share the verse, Psalm 86:11, which says “Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”  There will be moments in life where it doesn’t seem to go our way. However, we have a God who is above all disappointment and struggle. He is a God who is consistent, and He will never fail us. He will guide us and lead us. Trust in that truth.

Finally, one of our teams’ traditions this year has been taking a locker room selfie before each game. It is a fun way to get hyped for the match, as well as save some memories from our season. I have attached a few of these selfies below! Hope you get a good laugh out of these quality pictures :)
 
Thanks for following along! I will talk to you all next week after our two road matches against reigning G-MAC Champs Hillsdale on Friday at 7:00 and against a strong Findlay team on Saturday at 1:00.

With love,

Maddie #15


September 27, 2021

Hey Jacket Fans!

Our season is starting to pick up quickly. Last week we competed on Thursday and Friday at Tiffin University and at Ashland University, both very talented teams.

After a week of practice, we loaded the buses and headed to Tiffin University for our Thursday night match. We started the night off strong, winning a very intense first set 27-25. We fought hard during that set to come back from a 21-14 deficit. However, we ended up falling just short the last three sets. Each set was incredibly close in stats and in score, 25-23, 25-20, and 25-23. Though the night didn’t end how we wanted, there were several good moments and some really great rallies. On the bus ride back home, we took a moment to debrief as a team, discussing where we can improve and what mental space we have to be in when competing.

Friday afternoon, we all loaded the buses yet again ready to take on Ashland University, who is the newest addition to the G-MAC this fall. We knew they were definitely going to be a tough team to beat, but we were ready for the challenge. Again, we had such a strong start winning the first set 26-24 after a back and forth battle. However, as the night went on, Ashland stepped up and finished the match winning the next three sets. Again, this was a frustrating loss. In each set, we began in a solid position, yet as the set went on, we started to lose our consistency.

Though these loses have been hard, we are not discouraged yet. We are going to continue to fight and train to get to where we need to be. Our conference is only getting stronger and stronger each year and it is such a cool opportunity to be competing against so many talented teams. It is only going to make us better.

This past weekend we were off, which was a good time for rest and recovery. This week will be another test because we have three matches on the road against Ohio Dominican on Tuesday, Malone on Friday, and Walsh on Saturday.

I want to leave you with Romans 8:37, “No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”  We are made in the image of the God of all creation. Through Him and His love for us, we are able to accomplish anything. Remember this as you enter each day, with new trials and obstacles. With the power of God on your side, you will conquer.

Have a great first official week of fall! Talk to you guys next week!

With love,

Maddie #15


September 20, 2021

Hey Jackets!

Last week was finally HOME OPENER WEEK!! We hosted our home opener this past Friday, and it was the first time since Fall 2019 that we have been able to have a full capacity audience for our first home match. It was one of the best crowds we have ever had, and we were so thankful for all the fans who came out in person or watched online!

Last week, we had a solid week of training and practice. It was not only an exciting week because we got to play in our own gym on Friday and Saturday, but it was also the first week of G-MAC play. Another exciting thing that happened last week, was we had our second team Bible study of the semester. The team gets together on Tuesday nights, with our new mentor, Casey Cole, who works with Athletes In Action. She has been a great new addition and we love being with her already. As a team, we are going through the book of I Peter. I’m looking forward to seeing the growth that our team is going to have through this study.

Okay, now back to MATCH DAY. On Friday, our entire team wore the white t-shirts that we were going to be giving away at our match. During chapel, the new 2021 Hype Video was released for everyone to see. It is such a fun video, created by our very own Will and Jacob Brethauer from Mask Productions, and you should definitely check it out! Here is the link: https://youtu.be/BXwzoEQmltY

Dr. White also gave us a big shout out in chapel, encouraging people to come to our match that night. Thank you, Dr. White!

That afternoon, we had our pre-game devotion with our honorary coach of the night, Professor Teresa Clark, and then got ready for the match. The minute we stepped in the gym, it was full of people and full of energy. The Jacket fans came out to show their full support for the team and we were so grateful! During team introductions, when a technology glitch prevented the National Anthem track from playing, the entire gym of 1,050 Jackets fans sang the National Anthem together to show honor to our country. It was very moving and just the motivation we needed to start the match! Watch the video here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=376817163985087&ref=sharing

The gym was so loud and the Jacket fans never stopped cheering us on! Dr. White even helped lead the crowd in The Wave in between sets!

We came out strong from the very start, sweeping our competitor, Kentucky Wesleyan, in three sets. It was a huge win for our team, and definitely one of the largest, most hyped crowds in my entire Cedarville Volleyball experience. Wow! It was such a fun night! After the match, we were able to hand out free t-shirts to the first 1,000 fans in attendance. I can’t wait to see everyone repping Cedarville Volleyball across campus :)

After our win Friday night, we had another match on Saturday. We had our team devo that morning and immediately got focused on our new competition, Trevecca Nazarene. Unfortunately, we fell just short, losing the match in five sets. Both teams came out fighting, however, we were not able to finish with the win. Though this is not the outcome we wanted, we are now motivated to have a good week of training and practice for our next matches this week on Thursday at Tiffin and Friday at Ashland. We are going to be on the road travelling for the next four weeks straight – 10 road matches! It’s going to be a long few weeks before our next home match, but we are ready for the competition.

Finally, to end this week’s blog, I want to share something I have learned this week in one of my devotions. We are so blessed to serve a God who is the ultimate promise maker and keeper. He is never going to fail us, NO MATTER WHAT. It is important to remember that when every other promise that is made to us is broken on this earth, we are still able to truly find rest in the assurance that God never will break His promises. II Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.”  We have hope and assurance in our Creator.

Thank you all again for your support of the Cedarville Volleyball Team. We are so thankful.

Have a great week!

With love,

Maddie #15


September 14, 2021

Hey Cedarville Volleyball Fans!

Guess what!? We finally had our first real match of the 2021 fall season! It was one of the first full weeks with our entire team, back and healthy from COVID. We definitely were glad to all be back together again preparing for our first tournament of the season.

Thursday afternoon, the team hopped on the vans, and headed to Indianapolis for a practice to get adjusted to the gym. After practice we got to eat at one of the teams’ favorites restaurants, Piada!! We got to bed shortly after since we had an early match on Friday.

Friday morning, we woke up very early, and left the hotel at 7:00 a.m. to head to the gym for our 9:00 a.m. match, against the University of Indianapolis, which was the host team of the tournament.

It was definitely a very intense match, however, unfortunately we lost the match in five sets. We took the first set, winning 25-23. We fell short the next two sets 21-25 and 15-25. We weren’t done fighting, though, and took the fourth set 25-23. The last set went back and forth, but toward the end, UIndy took the lead, finishing with a 10-15 loss. We were proud of the fight throughout the long match but have some things to improve on in the next couple of matches.

After a lunch break, we were back on the court ready to play against #21 ranked West Florida. West Florida was a very talented team, and we had too many errors. We ended up losing that match in three sets. Playing against a nationally ranked team for our second match of the season is a challenge, so even though we didn’t play our best, we continued to improve in different areas.

We finished the day early and got to hang out and study as a team for the rest of the day. For dinner, we went to another team favorite, The Cheesecake Factory. That night, some of the team stayed at the mall to shop and explore, while the rest of the team went back to the hotel to get some homework and studying done. After a long, yet fun day, we all were ready for our final two matches on Saturday.

Saturday morning, we got to sleep a little bit longer than the day before. The team left the hotel around 8:00 a.m. for our 10:00 a.m. match against Bemidji State. We were able to take our first victory of the season, winning in three sets. We knew what we had to do and took care of business.

We then had a longer break before our 6:00 p.m. match against Northern Michigan. We all went out to lunch at McAlister’s Deli (and even got a little treat at Dunkin’ Donuts, which our team is obsessed with!) We got back to the campus and got to study for an hour or two before our next match.

Our final match of the weekend was at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evening against Northern Michigan. This was another talented team, and unfortunately, we fell short again, losing in four sets. After losing the first two sets, 22-25 and 21-25, we were ready to take a set. We won the third set, 25-20. Each set was definitely close, and we were fighting hard. However, we didn’t finish with the win in the fourth set, losing 19-25. Again, the improvement and fight were there, however, we have some things to improve in practice this coming week.

After showers, we got back in the vans to head back home to Cedarville. We got Chick-fil-A for dinner and most of the team fell asleep for our drive home. We arrived at campus around 11:30 p.m., unpacked, and headed back to our rooms for a good night’s rest.

Though the outcome of this weekend wasn’t necessarily what we wanted; we saw several glimpses of what we are working toward. We had some fight in us all weekend, yet we just have to continue fine tuning our skill and our team chemistry. We also need to cut down on errors. Playing some of the best NCAA II teams in the nation is a big challenge, and we were thankful for the opportunity to compete against them.

Thanks for following along for another week with the Cedarville Volleyball team. We are so thankful for your support. Get ready, because our first HOME MATCH is this Friday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. as we begin G-MAC play against Kentucky Wesleyan. Saturday, we will play at 2:00 p.m. against Trevecca.

We are very excited for this year’s competition!

To finish, here is a Bible verse of encouragement for your week:

Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

With love,

Maddie Lloyd #15


September 7, 2021

Hey Jackets! 

After another week of practices and training, and we are all finally back - quarantine and isolation free!!! The week started with only four girls practicing, but more were cleared to come back each day. Unfortunately, we still had to withdraw from our first scheduled tournament due to safety for the girls who just returned from COVID and the other teams.
 
We had a lot of growth this week in our play. We were able to really focus on some details, bettering ourselves for our upcoming tournament in Indiana. We will be traveling to the University of Indianapolis this Thursday and will be competing on Friday and Saturday. We are ready to finally compete in our first real matches this season!

 

Off the court, our team continues to bond and enjoy life together. After our weight lift and practice on Sunday, we all got to walk in the annual Labor Day Parade in Cedarville on Monday. This is always such a fun event for our team, and we are so honored to represent our program as well as Cedarville University Athletics.
 
To wrap up this week’s blog, I would love to share something I read in my devotion last night. Matthew 11:28 says,“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” This week I encourage you to find time to truly find rest in your daily life. However, this “rest” that Jesus wants for us may not necessarily be what we might think or imagine. This “rest” means finding ways to replenish ourselves with Christ, who is the only One who can truly fill us. I thought this was a cool concept and is something that is definitely needed in my life. 

Thank you, guys, for following along with me this week. I look forward to writing again soon after our first tournament!
 
With love,

Maddie (#15)


September 2, 2021

Welcome back CU Jacket Fans!!

My name is Maddie Lloyd, and I can’t wait to be back writing the Cedarville Volleyball blog again this year. I will be sharing team updates throughout our 2021 fall season, as well as fun stories, memories, trivia, and more. If you’re interested, you can even check out some of the blog posts that I wrote last year from our 2020-2021 fall and spring season.

Now, a little bit about me. My full name is Madison, but most people call me Maddie. I am from Atlanta, Georgia and absolutely love the warm, southern weather. I am a senior setter (and yes, I don’t feel like I am a senior yet…it’s weird). I am studying psychology and have a minor in graphic design and Bible. This year, I will be spending a lot of time applying for grad school next fall. I hope to get my master’s in clinical mental health counseling, with a focus in art therapy. I have no idea where I am going to go to school yet, but I am excited to see where God opens the door for me.

Now that you know some of the basics about me, I am excited to have all of you follow along with our team this season. Our team is full of energy, goofiness, grit, and love for each other and the Lord. We are competing as one, for the One. Of course, we are extremely excited and grateful that we get to have a “normal” fall season again. Having two back-to-back seasons will definitely be tough at times, but it is such a cool opportunity.

Our team returned to campus on August 11th to begin our preseason. We were able to get a lot of hard work done in the gym, as well as have a couple of fun team bonding events, such as dinner at coach’s house and a pool party. One of the things I am most excited for with this team is the chemistry we have. Not only are we a team, but we are also best friends. The past couple of years we have really worked on becoming vulnerable with each other and building connection and chemistry. I am thankful for the awesome girls that God has put on this team to push each other, laugh with one another, cry with each other, and truly grow together.

Since last season, we added five awesome girls to our family, including new assistant coach Grace Wilson. Grace has already been such an instant blessing to our team. She is kind, loving, and truly has a heart for us and the Lord. I am excited to get to know Grace this year and see the way God leads through her.

Our three freshmen, Talia Felton, Paige Hale, and Kailee McLaughlin have instantly gelled with the team. They each bring something so fun and different, and I am so grateful that God led them to Cedarville.

Finally, we have the addition of Sami Gibbs, who came back to the Cedarville Volleyball program. Sami is now a graduate student but had previously been on the 2017 & 2018 volleyball teams. Sami’s positive energy is going to be a great addition to the team this season.

As far as the rest of the team, I am so happy to have most girls back for another year of work and competition. Our sophomore class got a little smaller this year, however, both Abby Kuyper and Haley Goff are two hard working girls who bring a lot to the team. Our junior class, which includes Payton Krahn, Mallory Delamarter, Hannah Willow and Riley Hensley, is also a great group who have stepped up as upperclassmen already this year. Finally, my fellow seniors and super seniors are ready to compete with Cedarville Volleyball for one last time. The current seniors are Emily Ward, Emily Jastrzemski, and me (Maddie Lloyd). Our “super” seniors (aka 5th year students) are Lauren Willow, Liene Miller, and Sami Gibbs). The six of us are extremely excited, but also definitely emotional about our last year playing for Cedarville.

And finally, the remaining member of the team, is head coach Greg Smith. This is Coach Smith’s fourth year as head coach, and he has been able to grow this program in numerous ways since being here.

Not to brag, but we definitely have a stacked squad this year :) Even though everyone is ready for the season to start, we are currently experiencing a bit of a bump in the road starting last week and continuing into next week. We recently had five girls on the team test positive for COVID-19, and only four girls on the team are not in quarantine. Because we are a bit low on numbers right now, we unfortunately had to drop out of our first tournament scheduled for Labor Day weekend. However, this is not going to stop us! We will continue working hard to stay safe and healthy this fall and will take it each day one at a time.

On a funnier note, the four of us who are not quarantined still practiced last Friday, which was funny considering you need at least six people to play the game of indoor volleyball? It was a fun and unique practice that’s for sure!

To wrap up my first blog for this year, I would like to give some encouraging words. Matthew 6:34 says, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Whatever it is that you may be stressed or worried about, take a quick moment to stop, and meditate on this Scripture. God does not leave us hanging. He never leaves us alone in our struggle. He is intentional. He is kind and loving. God cares about you or your worries. He’s got you. Remember that as you go throughout your day.

Thank you all for reading the first blog of this fall season. I am looking forward to writing again next week and updating you on our program. Go Jackets!!

With love,

Maddie (#15)


Maddie Lloyd is a senior setter from Atlanta, Georgia. She is a four-year member of the Lady Jackets and a Dean's Honor List student as a psychology major.