USU volleyball will compete in Europe this summer
Associate head coach Chloe Hirst and middle blocker Kelsey Watson of Utah State volleyball will be attending the Global Challenge volleyball tournament in Europe this summer.
Watson is part of a team made up of 12 nominated athletes from the Mountain West conference. Hirst will be coaching alongside Ted Kopacz, assistant coach at Colorado State.
Every coach who participated in the Mountain West Tournament got the chance to nominate two or three players.
After holding Zoom calls with each coach, Hirst was able to put together a complete roster.
“I know the head coaches all sat down and they were in agreeance — ‘Hey, if we’re going to do this, let’s do this and let’s send kind of our top players and write some standout candidates that can make an impact and help us in this tournament,’” Hirst said.
Hirst and Watson have gone up against many of teams and have seen familiar names on the roster.
“I almost feel like I know this team,” Hirst said.
Hirst and Watson have played against each of these opponents throughout the years and know the other teams’ strengths and weaknesses.
“I don’t know any of them personally, but I’ve recognized all their names, having played against them,” Watson said.
Hirst and Kopacz will need to figure out a way to coach together.
“Everyone has their own different styles of volleyball and their own system that they play in each of their gyms,” Hirst said.
Watson will need to get comfortable with different coaching styles, which she said she has experienced before.
“I’ve played under a lot of different coaches and so I’m always open to new styles,” Watson said. “I think that can be a good thing.”
The tournament will be a new experience as the team learns how to practice and communicate with each other.
“It’s more of just figuring one of each other out and learning to play together in a short amount of time,” Hirst said.
Watson said playing with girls she has competed with over the years will be a unique experience.
“I’m excited to see how we can foster some teamwork between people who normally compete with,” Watson said.
Hirst and Watson have never been to Europe, but both of them are filled with anticipation to be heading out of the country.
“I’m thrilled, honestly,” Hirst said.
Watson hopes the team wins, but the outcome will not change her excitement about being abroad.
“I’ve definitely talked to Chloe about packing some sunscreen and then getting some cute outfits,” Watson said. “I’m very excited for this trip.”
The team will meet in Slovenia for the first days, where they will get a chance to meet one another.
Hirst wants the team to take away a few things from the trip.
“A passion that a lot of European countries have for volleyball is really unique,” Hirst said. “It’s so cool to be a part of a sport so popular and so loved in Europe, and of course, it’s grown so much here in the States, and it’s continuing to grow and it’s so cool to get that traction.”
Hirst also mentioned a sense of gratitude to be able to experience the different cultures they will be surrounded by and to appreciate the chance to get an education and play volleyball.
“Hopefully, they can appreciate their opportunity that they have to play collegiately at an incredible high level in an incredible competitive conference, while also getting an incredible education by each of their universities,” Hirst said.