Wofford players listen to their teammates and coach being interviewed after Thursday’s loss to Kentucky. (Larry Vaught Photo)
Playing the NCAA Tournament is an annual event for the Kentucky volleyball team now.
For Wofford, it’s not like that. The Terriers not only were making their first NCAA Tournament appearance Thursday night in Rupp Arena but it was the first NCAA Tournament appearance by any women’s athletic team at Wofford.
The Terriers were overmatched 25-17, 25-15, 25-16 by Kentucky, the No. 8 overall seed in the NCAA tourney, but didn’t let that ruin the experience. When the match ended, players hugged parents and friends who made the trip to Lexington. Many players posed for pictures with family, friends and/or teammates on the Rupp Arena court.
The Terriers (23-8) got eight kills from Sarah MacLean and Sarah Barham. Emily Hodsdon had 13 assists and Taylor Pecht had 12 for Wofford.
Wofford coach Lynze Roos brought Barham and Addison Foote to the postgame press conference. Every Wofford player stood in the back of the media room to soak in the experience.
“I think it was a lot of fun. I have 19 girls in this room right now. If you’re a terrier, put your hand up right now (motions Wofford hand sign), I mean unbelievable,” the coach said.
“This whole experience for them was outstanding. What the NCAA and the University of Kentucky have put together for us here, this experience was outstanding. And it was our goal to come out of here and play our style of volleyball. So, beyond all the things that were special about making this trip, I think we played well.
“I think that there were some points where people were really impressed with Wofford volleyball. And I think it was our goal going out of the locker room is to play our game, to be who we are and who we have been all season and to see us do that throughout the night was outstanding.”
Barham said playing in the NCAA was “kind of surreal” for the Terriers.
“We knew that we wanted to win our conference tournament and that was our main goal, but I don’t think anybody really broadened their mindset to what comes after it and this was our reward,” she said. “We were kind of just here to bask in and play some volleyball and showed everyone exactly what we wanted to. There are no words for it, it was a historic moment for sure.”
Foote admitted it was “nerve wracking” playing a national powerhouse like Kentucky on its home court.
“But it was also an amazing experience and showing who we are and to be able to play with them,” Foote said. “Even though it was our first conference win and first time playing in the tournament it was a really big step up for this program and I know for a fact that there is going to be so many more tournament appearances in the future.
“It is really exciting that it is the first year of it knowing that there are so many more to come.”
