Neumann University’s women’s volleyball team has made a real impact this season, sporting an impressive 12-7 record as of this report. However, the talent gathered on the court didn’t just come from the hills of Pennsylvania.
Five players stand out for being a bit more than just a half-hour drive from home: Naye Cruz (#1) from Carolina, Puerto Rico; Emma Dobberstein (#16) from Dundee, Michigan; Ryen Hawkey (#9) from Tea, South Dakota; Dani Smith (#7) from Morinville, Alberta in Canada; and Tori Burgess (#4) from Delray Beach, Florida.
How did these women get to little old Aston, Pennsylvania? Dani Smith and Naye Cruz discovered Neumann through recruiting websites. While playing club volleyball down in Florida, Tori Burgess sent emails to visiting coaches and got in contact with the Neumann University women’s volleyball head coach, Alicia MacGlaughlin. Emma Dobberstein first heard about Neumann through her roommate. And Ryen Hawkey discovered Neumann while searching for colleges on the East Coast.
Naye Cruz chose Neumann because she wanted a better education than could be offered in Puerto Rico. Dani Smith and Ryen Hawkey wanted to experience something different, preferring a school on the East Coast near the beach and Philly.
Nonetheless, one reason for choosing Neumann stood out for all five women, Coach MacGlaughlin. Known as Mac to the girls, her coaching and recruiting made the difference for all of them.
Emma Dobberstein said her phone calls with coach MacGlaughlin were personal, feeling like she wanted to get to know her and not just chat about volleyball. Tori Burgess noted that her first phone call with a college coach was with coach McLaughlin, and she decided to transfer to Neumann after a bad coaching experience at her former University.
All the girls cited the positive, hardworking, and uplifting environment as the reason for the team’s success. Naye Cruz stated that the long distance was difficult, but the team was super inviting, friendly, and open, making the transition much easier.
Dani Smith says the smaller team size allows them to really bond as one group, forming a genuine friendship in the process. “Everyone on the team are friends,” she said.
Coach MacGlaughlin credited coaches and players for this team environment. “A lot of it is both. It started with coaches leading certain things, but now it’s been significantly more player-driven than coach-driven.”
It seems quality coaching, a close player environment, and a strong drive to win is the true formula for success. The Neumann women’s volleyball team has one more month of competition before beginning their 2023 conference run. Check out the schedule.
