The difference between the first and second season of college cannot be overstated. The anxious - but ambitious - teenager that left for GCU a year ago is lost and yet has found a familiar home. On returning to college, I was met by old friends, coaches and familiar places. We strolled through the campus as though we'd never left; like proud children that had crowned themselves kings of the playground. The weights room, practice courts, arena and even grass that we had walked a thousand times seemed to shine brighter than ever before. Perhaps this was the result of the unspoken excitement we each felt towards this dangerously promising season, but it was apparent in all of us.
In a year, the university has doubled its on-campus population - it is an exciting time for the college. The basketball program, and other athletic teams, have made the move to the WAC conference; a division I region of colleges. Ultimately this can only attract further growth and improvement within the college as our athletic teams compete on ESPN and other networks. Who knows, we might not be met with "Where even is Grand Canyon University?" as often (though it's not nearly as common as being asked if I'm from The Outback, or if the death of Steve Irwin was the most defining moment in Australian history). Yet with the growth in population, the school has had to expand. During the four months I spent in Australia, two brand new, five-story housing complexes have been built. Along with that, the student cafeteria has added three stories - one of which houses the second largest Starbucks cafe in North America. If that doesn't impress you - which is likely - our practice courts have been refurbished and designed into a volleyball-specific center. The aesthetic changes to the campus are fantastic, but they are not what is providing the buzz within our team.
Since GCU has such a young volleyball program, there is not a lot of history or tradition. This is why our victory over Ohio State in the conference finals was a big deal - it was the first real taste of success within the program. Success breeds success, and this is obvious in how our team has prepared over the American Summer. It seems as though everyone has come back in better form and fitness than ever - this was not the case last season. I remember the first open gym practice that I was invited to last season. The guys were rusty from not touching a volleyball in weeks, or even months. Yet this year there has been no digression and it looks as though it's only going to improve from here. At the end of this season, six of our squad will graduate. With this staring them in the face, this season has taken on another dimension and it's exciting to see. Though I am speaking on behalf of my team, and remarkably prematurely, I am calling this season early: it's gonna be a big one! Anyone reading can hold me accountable to that.
Thanks,
Gerrard Lipscombe
In a year, the university has doubled its on-campus population - it is an exciting time for the college. The basketball program, and other athletic teams, have made the move to the WAC conference; a division I region of colleges. Ultimately this can only attract further growth and improvement within the college as our athletic teams compete on ESPN and other networks. Who knows, we might not be met with "Where even is Grand Canyon University?" as often (though it's not nearly as common as being asked if I'm from The Outback, or if the death of Steve Irwin was the most defining moment in Australian history). Yet with the growth in population, the school has had to expand. During the four months I spent in Australia, two brand new, five-story housing complexes have been built. Along with that, the student cafeteria has added three stories - one of which houses the second largest Starbucks cafe in North America. If that doesn't impress you - which is likely - our practice courts have been refurbished and designed into a volleyball-specific center. The aesthetic changes to the campus are fantastic, but they are not what is providing the buzz within our team.
Since GCU has such a young volleyball program, there is not a lot of history or tradition. This is why our victory over Ohio State in the conference finals was a big deal - it was the first real taste of success within the program. Success breeds success, and this is obvious in how our team has prepared over the American Summer. It seems as though everyone has come back in better form and fitness than ever - this was not the case last season. I remember the first open gym practice that I was invited to last season. The guys were rusty from not touching a volleyball in weeks, or even months. Yet this year there has been no digression and it looks as though it's only going to improve from here. At the end of this season, six of our squad will graduate. With this staring them in the face, this season has taken on another dimension and it's exciting to see. Though I am speaking on behalf of my team, and remarkably prematurely, I am calling this season early: it's gonna be a big one! Anyone reading can hold me accountable to that.
Thanks,
Gerrard Lipscombe
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