Three consecutive years of having the “best season ever” and the Jays are once again watching the NCAA volleyball tournament from home. A variety of factors, both within and out of their control, conspired to keep the Jays’ dreaming of going to their first NCAA tournament for at least another year.
Creighton rode an eight-game winning streak into the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, where they fell to Northern Iowa in a five-set semifinal. On the other side of the bracket, undefeated Wichita State was upset by Missouri State, who would go on to win the tournament and clinch the league’s automatic bid to the NCAAs.
With one spot locked up, the selection committee chose Wichita State and UNI for at-large bids. Creighton coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth is confident that the Jays were in the running for that last berth.
“I have to guess we were on the board,” she said. “I could definitely make arguments for us being there, but I could see where other teams could make that argument too.”
Understanding the decision doesn’t make it hurt any less. “I think it especially hurts knowing that we were so close to making it,” senior setter Korie Lebeda said.
Other players agreed with Booth that Creighton’s season warranted serious consideration from the selection committee.
“I feel that … we deserved a chance to compete in the tournament, especially with the strength of our conference,” junior middle blocker Lauren Bloemke said.
After a shaky start, things started clicking for the Jays as they made their way to their best conference finish in volleyball history. Creighton ended the regular season in second place with 15 conference wins and nine home wins, both school records.
The team got a signature win during its last weekend of regular season play. The Jays swept long-time foes UNI for their first home win against the Panthers in 15 tries. The players and coaches consider the win a defining moment of the season.
“Looking back, the match that really stands out was playing Northern Iowa at home on the Friday of senior weekend,” Lebeda said. “I think that was our team’s best match of the season, and it really showcased the talent and motivation this team had all season long.”
Booth was clear she thinks this year’s team was something special. “This was a team with spectacular chemistry,” she said. “They were all focused on team above self, and they were a lot of fun to coach.”
For Bloemke, it was a memorable year. “This season we had a very strong team, and everything seemed to be going right on and off the court all season,” she said.
The Jays are still excited for the future. That’s what college athletics is about, Booth said: there’s always next year.
Next season will certainly bring a new dynamic to the team, as they will have to replace four-year starter Lebeda. Booth is looking forward to the challenge.
“There will be a lot of changes after a quarterback that’s been at the helm four years,” she said. “There are a lot of unknowns, which is exciting.”