School Spirit on the Rise
As the women's volleyball team shined throughout the term, students rallied behind them in support. The first year class challenged Hanover students to pack the house for the Oct. 2 game. For the October 30 game, junior Ryan Beatty (Hagerstown, Ind.) encouraged Hanover to break the NCAA Division III record for attendance. Even though we only recorded approximately 475 people in attendance, it was one of the larger crowds Hanover has seen. Beatty also solicited local business to donate to funds to the Jefferson County United Way based on the number of people in attendance at the games.
As the women's volleyball team continued to win, the fan base grew steadily. The attendance and support at the tournament games encouraged the women as they went on to win the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) championship. The campus sent them off at the front of the Brown Campus Center to their first appearance in a national tournament and the team's appreciation of the campus support was evident.
"The support from the Hanover community meant so much to me," said senior Carley Meek (Indianapolis, Ind.) who earned player of the year honors from the HCAC. "I was overwhelmed by the number of people who became avid volleyball fans who had previously never followed the sport or even been to a game before. I always knew Hanover was a special place, but the support our team received the past three years and especially this year is something that I will always take with me."
Added Danielle Hazelbaker '08 (Selma, Ind.) "It was a great feeling to be able to walk past people on the sidewalk and hear a 'Good Luck' or 'Congratulations,' or walk into a classroom and have professors acknowledge our accomplishments, and experience the energy of our crowds at every home match."
In addition to the support the team from the Hanover community, the players felt the reward of setting and sticking with their goals. "I remember the pre-season team meeting we had my freshman year," said Angela Semrau '08 (Grafton, Ohio). "We all sat down to set some goals for both ourselves and for the team. Winning conference and getting a banner in the gym were at the top of our list. We worked hard every day to play to the best of our ability, always staying focused on our goals. After disappointing losses to Mt. St. Joe in our sophomore and junior years, we knew that our senior year was definitely our year. When that ball hit the ground for game point in the conference tournament, everything came true. I can't even put into words what I was feeling."
Meek and Hazelbaker agree. "The best part of winning conference was being a part of something I was so passionate about and being to achieve something that took four years to build," said Meek. It was a roller coaster, but as I grew, so did each one of these girls who are now my best friends and people I respect in every way."
"The greatest reward after winning the conference championship was finally reaching that primary team goal, a goal many of us have worked toward for four years," said Hazelbaker. "I have played on many teams throughout my entire athletic career, but this team had the best team chemistry of all."
Semrau also had praise for their coaches. "I was so proud to be a part of the Hanover volleyball team, to play with an amazing group of girls, and to work with Peter Preocanin and Megan Smalley. It took four years of hard work, determination, and commitment to reach our goals and we had finally done it. My entire volleyball career at Hanover has been amazing and the great finish to my senior year season will always be an unforgettable experience."