Aspen Reflects on Successful Volleyball Career

Senior Aubrey Aspen, from Sparta, Wis., is a biology major with minors in both business administration and sports science. Her passion outside the classroom, though, is volleyball.

She did not begin playing volleyball until she was in high school. Though she had not participated in any sports before then, both her parents were into athletics and coaching. This fact allowed Aspen to at least try volleyball.

When asked who her biggest influence was when it came to volleyball she replied, “Definitely my mom. She’s always been super supportive. My sophomore year of high school, the varsity coach told me that I should find a different sport because I wasn’t any good, and my mom was the only reason why I stuck it out. I don’t think I could even count all the extra hours she spent tossing me balls or helping me with my footwork over the summers or after practices.”

To her, the biggest achievement within the sport of volleyball was when she earned the All-American Award. Regarding team achievements, making it to nationals and doing well in was one of the best experiences for Aspen.

Her favorite aspect of the Viterbo volleyball team is her teammates. She explains they have become her family and have supported her and helped her throughout many of life’s experiences.

There have been many funny and enjoyable moments on the team for Aspen, and there are so many little meaningful moments that hold a place in her heart. One in particular is the Europe trip, which, for her, was unforgettable.

Recently, Viterbo University hosted the NSSA tournament, and the V-Hawks volleyball team ended up coming out on top, for not the first, or the second, but the third year in a row.

Unfortunately for senior Aubrey Aspen, it was a bittersweet feeling, due to the win and because it was her last game suiting up in the VAC.

The team worked hard for that victory to happen. Aspen explains, “We focus a lot on the mental side of our play, which I think helps us. We also focus more on our connection as a team, because we are all skilled enough, it just comes down to having confidence and trust in ourselves and each other.” Aspen’s class has won this tournament consecutively all their years preforming in the conference.

“Once you expect to win, you prepare yourself to slack off. I knew we would win, but I didn’t hold it as an expectation. We still had to fight for it. There was a game to be won and no one is ever just going to roll over and hand it to you.”