The University of Jamestown (UJ) women’s volleyball team is once again making waves in the NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Championship as they prepare to host the first-round match against William Carey University (Mississippi) on Saturday, Nov. 23. The game will take place at 2 p.m. at Harold Newman Arena, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense and exciting postseason matchup.
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A Tradition of Dominance at Home
The Jimmies are no strangers to success in the NAIA tournament. Since the 2020-21 season, the No. 3-ranked Jimmies have hosted the first round of the national tournament every year, accumulating a perfect 4-0 record in those matchups. Even more impressive is the fact that during those four victories, they have lost only two total sets.
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Head coach Jon Hegerle is no stranger to the high stakes of postseason volleyball and knew that his team would once again have the opportunity to play at home in the opening round. “If you watch last year, we ended up going five and we felt like we took it for granted,” Hegerle reflected. “This group has already decided that we’re not gonna take it for granted. It helps with the energy, it helps that we can have our own fans, that all of our parents and family can be here. It’s on our own court.”
A Road to Redemption
The Jimmies (22-2) entered the national tournament after receiving an at-large bid. This came after they were knocked out of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) semifinals by Dakota State. Despite the disappointment, Hegerle encouraged his team to stay focused on the bigger picture: the upcoming NAIA tournament. “It’s not that big of a deal and if it was gonna happen, this is a good time for it to happen because it really didn’t mean anything,” Hegerle said. “So now we got a week to get ready for when it does mean something.”
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While the loss to Dakota State was a setback, the Jimmies are eager to prove themselves in the national tournament. The Lady Crusaders of William Carey (28-9) also enter the tournament with an at-large bid, having lost in the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) championship game to the University of Mobile (Alabama).
An Unknown Opponent
With both teams having an unfamiliar opponent in the first round, the preparation is crucial for both sides. “We don’t know much about them if anything so this week we’re gonna prepare for them,” said Hegerle’s assistant coach. “But honestly, it’s just about us and what we do on our side of the court and how we play Jimmie volleyball.” The Jimmies have been known for their powerful and efficient playstyle, and this game will be no different as they focus on honing their own strategy.
Despite the unfamiliarity with their opponents, the Jimmies remain confident, especially with the advantage of playing on their home court. UJ has been undefeated at home this season, going 7-0 without dropping a single set. “We always feel like playoff time is our time, and so this week generally is going to be about us reinforcing who we are as a team and making sure that when Saturday comes, we’re firing on all cylinders,” Hegerle said.
A Surprising Draw
One of the more surprising aspects of the matchup is the travel distance for William Carey. While the NAIA typically assigns teams that are geographically closer to Jamestown, William Carey is making a 1,450-mile journey from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Jamestown for the first-round game. Hegerle expressed his surprise at the long-distance draw. “I think they say it has to be within 450 miles, so we’ve always had a team like that. So that narrows down who it could be, but William Carey was not on our radar. But that’s kind of neat, we’re excited about it,” he said.
For the Jimmies, this long-distance travel will not be a concern. “It’s great. We get to sleep in our own beds. We get to practice at the time we practice,” Hegerle added. “We don’t have to worry about all the details of the travel and the eating and the hotels and all that kind of stuff. I think it’s a pretty big advantage for us.”
The Final Home Match for Seniors
The Nov. 23 match will hold extra significance as it serves as the final home game for the Jimmies’ eight seniors, including standout player Ellie Holen. Holen, who has been with the team for four years, reflected on the emotional aspect of playing her last home game. “It’s definitely bittersweet. It’s exciting knowing that we have one more, but it’s also sad for the seniors that it’s our last one,” she said. “So we’re just gonna try and enjoy it.”
For Holen and the other seniors, this game represents not only a final home match but also a potential springboard to further success in the tournament. They’ve poured countless hours into their training, and now, as they step onto their home court one last time, they aim to leave everything on the floor.
The Road to the National Championship
With the excitement of the first-round match looming, the Jimmies are focused on their ultimate goal: winning the national championship. Having made deep runs in previous years, they know what it takes to advance through the tournament and are ready to give their best effort. “This group is determined, they’re hungry, and they’ve been working hard all season long,” Hegerle said. “We’re excited for the opportunity to go out there and represent Jamestown, not only as a team but as a community. We want to make our fans proud, and this is our chance to do just that.”
As the Jimmies prepare for this exciting first-round matchup against William Carey, the energy in Jamestown is palpable. The fans, players, and coaching staff all know that this is a critical moment for the program, and the potential for greatness is within reach. With a legacy of strong performances at home and a committed, talented team, the Jimmies will be looking to continue their undefeated streak at Harold Newman Arena and take another step toward their national championship aspirations.
The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams battling it out for a chance to continue their tournament run. For the Jimmies, it’s about more than just winning—it’s about finishing strong, leaving a legacy, and proving that they’re more than capable of handling the pressure of national competition.
As the countdown to game day begins, all eyes will be on Jamestown’s Harold Newman Arena for what will surely be an unforgettable matchup in the NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Championship.
