Inside the rise of USU Women’s Club Volleyball
Utah State University’s Women’s Club Volleyball is transforming its identity from a hidden gem in the Aggie Recreation Center to a national powerhouse, recently earning the title of the 2025 “Most Improved Club” by USU Campus Recreation.
Coming off a runner-up finish in the Intercollegiate Athletics Association Division last year, the team traveled to Kansas City this season with a roster blending veteran experience and a wave of new talent. For the players, the shift in recognition reflects a year of intense commitment that extends far beyond the court lines.
“The mindset of every individual player is really important,” said Julia Freeman, a sophomore outside hitter. “We are a team, we are a program, and being involved includes more than just attending practice. We volunteer with campus rec, we run fundraisers, we support other sports here at USU and we hang out outside of team events. It’s our community that matters most”.
The transition from regular-season regional matches to the national tournament in Kansas City offers a stark contrast in intensity. While the team’s typical schedule in the Mountain West Conference focuses on local Utah schools, the national stage features over 70 courts and a relentless “electric” energy.
“At nationals, the girls are taller, hit harder and cheer louder,” said Hadley Maughan, a sophomore middle blocker. “It feels much more serious than our regular season matches — higher stakes, better refs and way more teams that we’ve never played before”.
Senior libero Lexi Fisher, who has been with the club for four years, described the atmosphere as “awesome” and “energetic.”
“There’s a really cool, fun, energetic and electric feeling and atmosphere to just have a bunch of people your age in college just doing what they love,” Fisher said. “Nationals is a highlight of every single volleyball season for me.”
Operating as a club sport requires student-athletes to handle nearly every logistical detail from booking hotels to balancing finances. The team’s leadership presidency serves as the operational backbone, ensuring the club functions as a “well-oiled machine” even without a consistent coaching staff.
“The presidency is the backbone of the team,” Maughan said. “When they are doing their job, it makes a world of difference. Without the presidency functioning, nothing would get done. They are really the ones who plan the season and its events.”
The commitment is a full-year undertaking, involving constant outreach and collaboration, including joint fundraising efforts with the USU Men’s Volleyball Club to increase the club’s visibility.
On the court, the team’s success is rooted in a culture of deep trust established during travel and bonding events, such as team dinners and even trips to local trampoline parks.
“You cannot be successful unless you trust your teammates,” Freeman said. “You have to know that they have your back, that they are doing their job and that you will do yours. Everyone has a role on the court, and it’s so important to trust that they will do their part so you don’t have to”.
“When we’re close to each other, and when we’re friends and when we trust each other, we’re able to compete better, compete more cohesively, and to trust each other in those really crunch-time situations,” Fisher said.
Despite the “bare-bones roster” the team often faces during the regular season, the club continues to invite new students to join their growing community.
For those interested in trying out, the players emphasize that the club offers a unique middle ground between the intensity of Division I athletics and the casual nature of intramurals.
“I love our club team because it is a good mix between competitiveness and hard work while also being able to balance school and have a life outside of sport,” Freeman said.
Maughan agreed with this sentiment, encouraging any interested students to attend the open gyms planned for the fall. “The environment we’re working to build is uplifting and fun, but also hard-working and competitive,” Maughan said. “At the very least, you’ll meet some really cool and fun people who love volleyball”.