“Fresh off a 2014 National Collegiate Volleyball Federation National Championship in Divisions I and III, the UW Oshkosh men’s club volleyball team has its eyes set on achieving that same title in all three divisions this season.

The goal should not be considered unrealistic if the history of UWO men’s volleyball is considered. Within the rich history of men’s volleyball lies multiple state and national titles, and this year’s squads are looking to add to the legacy.

The club team has three separate teams who each play in their own divisions.

As for the D-I team, the start of this season’s journey has gone just as planned, according to club president, Travis Hudson.

“We’re hitting everything we’ve wanted to hit,” Hudson said.

Hudson said because the team returned the majority of its key players, there is a “little bit” of pressure for the D-I team to repeat as national champions.

“It’s not overwhelming,” Hudson said. “We only lost two guys, so we’re more experienced.”

The passion for volleyball and desire to succeed stretches across all three divisions and teams of men’s volleyball.

“I couldn’t be more excited to see what the team can accomplish,” freshman Alex Woodward said.

Woodward also said he was a bit intimidated when anticipating his first season.

“You have to show that you want to be here,” Woodward said.

Although volleyball is taken very seriously, Woodward said the team tries to keep the mood light.

“We try to do a lot of team bonding, like dodge ball, telling stories, things like that,” Woodward said. “We go to each other’s games to support each other.”
Woodward said the D-III team has a lot to live up to as well.

“We aren’t as talented as last year, but we’re getting better every game,” Woodward said. “It’s an all-freshman team, so we learn a lot from the upperclassmen.”

Head coach Brad Schafer said that dedication to the sport and school sets men’s volleyball apart from any other team around.

“Everybody plays hard, practices hard and plays with fundamentals and has knowledge of the game,” Schaefer said.

There may be three different teams in the club, but they all share one common goal;improving game after game.

With 15 players over 6 feet 2 inches, seven of them being on the D-I team, their mixture of physical dominance and team chemistry can be lethal.”