The SNHU women’s volleyball team won the NCAA East Regional tournament for the first time in program history on November 19 in Springfield, MA. The championship match resulted in a win over Adelphi University after a full five sets.
With the victory, the team advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals in Seattle, WA starting on December 1. The team will play against top-seeded Concordia University out of St. Paul, MN on Saturday, December 3.
Outside hitter, Ana Pimenta (‘23), spoke on this season’s success and discussed what it is like for the team to be in their position.
“We have been preparing ourselves since last season, and we are extremely proud of how far we’ve come. The beginning was very challenging, but we had the ability to push ourselves to get to where we are now,” said Pimenta.
She discussed what made this year different compared to previous years, considering the factors that helped the team succeed.
“What made this season different was our mentality,” said Pimenta. “We had a great addition to our team which was our mental strength coach.”
With all the positive factors that helped women’s volleyball throughout this season, the program is seeing success that it has never seen before.
“I’m still processing the whole ‘regional champions’ [title]. It hasn’t hit me yet because there were so many emotions…winning the [NE10] title was worth every sweat and tear dropped during the season,” said Pimenta.
Fellow teammate of Pimenta, Claire Wohlleber (‘24), gave her insight on what this season means to the volleyball program.
“This season has felt unbelievably amazing,” said Wohlleber. “I am still trying to process all that we have achieved as a team and that we are going to Seattle as one of the top eight teams in the nation for Division II volleyball.”
Wohlleber discussed what the atmosphere is like competing in the NCAA championship tournament against teams outside of the team’s conference, the NE10.
“To be competing in the NCAA championship feels extraordinary…It also feels amazing to be representing SNHU and all of the other people who have supported us along the way,” said Wohlleber.
Playing against teams outside of the NE10 conference is new to the team. Wohlleber gave input on the team’s preparation for facing new teams.
“It is cool to play new teams because it does create a challenge of who can make these in-game adjustments more efficiently…we always approach each team the same way in that you can’t take any team for granted…anything can happen in a game of volleyball,” said Wohlleber.
The women’s volleyball team looks to adjust to the NCAA competition with hopes to advance as the season concludes.
