Just before winter break, Simpson College’s men’s volleyball team were told they would no longer be an official college team, but instead transition to a club team. Now, their team is trying to stay alive so they can play the sport they are passionate about. 

With no coach and only five players left, they aren’t competing in any tournaments this spring season. Their team was comprised of mostly of international students, and after hearing the news about becoming a club team, many of them decided to transfer elsewhere. 

However, junior and outside hitter Joseph Wollum has been attempting to fill the role of coach to find gym space so the few remaining athletes can still practice.  

Wollum explained how they practice with the women’s team to have enough numbers to even play.

“It’s almost not seen as a team anymore, just as like a get together with friends that like to play volleyball,” he said.   

However, the likelihood of the team continuing relies on Simpson hiring an assistant coach for the women’s team who would take over as their head coach. The team also needs the numbers to be able to compete. 

If not, it is up to Wollum and his teammates to carry on the legacy of Simpson men’s volleyball. He mentioned how much pressure this puts on him.

“It is kind of stressful because I don’t have much time in my week to be able to dedicate to it, and coach these players and build them up fundamentally,” he said.  

Wollum said he hopes the team continues, so he isn’t forced to give up playing volleyball. 

“Right now, it’s a positive, like I still get the opportunity to go in and play and touch a volleyball,” he said. 

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, he said he appreciates the positive, fun and energetic atmosphere the team continues to have, which wasn’t always there when they were previously practicing.  

Junior and defensive specialist Spencer Krantz is another one of the five remaining players. Krants reminisced on his first few years on the team. 

“I felt like there was a stronger community when I first got here compared to what there is now with the lack of that coach position right now,” he said.  

Before, they had mandatory practice, lift and got to play games. Now, they are responsible for their own training and lifting if they want to continue to grow.  

Krantz is optimistic about the team being able to bounce back because they can attend the club fair and recruit members more easily. Instead of having practices at odd times because other sports were prioritized over them, people may be more appealed to join the team. It allows for greater flexibility and for people with less experience to join. This transition may hurt the level of competition the team was at, but it may be what’s needed to continue.  

Though Krantz is disappointed about how the transition went down. 

“It is pretty upsetting, seeing this is my third time going through one of these transitions now. I don’t think any of them have been performed well and how the school really handles them,” he said. 

Both Krantz and Wollum wish to see their team back in action and hope they can grow from this point forward. For now, they are focusing on playing as much as possible for as long as they are still able to.