Chicago State women's volleyball team headed to NCAA Tournament for first time
CHICAGO (CBS) -- It has been a historic season for the small, but might Chicago State University women's volleyball team.
The Northeast Conference champions went 13-1 in their first year in the NEC. Now, the Cougars are navigating new territory in the postseason.
"NCAA Tournament—it's first time happening here at Chicago State University," said volleyball player Patrycja Lagida. "It's amazing to see is all—like wow."
The Chicago Women's volleyball team is preparing for a trip to Louisville after punching a ticket to the NCAA tourney for the first time in program history. Due to a delay on the monitors when they found out, it took a second for the team to find out—and for it to sink in.
"It was funny, because our big screen wasn't lining up with the little screen, so we had a little bit of a delayed reaction because we couldn't figure out if it was us," said volleyball player Karly Klaer. "Just getting to play in NCAA Tournament is a dream come true for all of us."
Northeast Conference coach of the year Tony Trifonov is in his fourth season as head coach. But what has made this year's team different is the chemistry that has been built between the nine players on the roster.
"All season, the only time we've ever been able to rally is during games, so that makes it hard. In practice, we're really trying to focus on just building our relationships, and building the way that we play," said Klaer. "We have some of the best relationships I've ever had, The girls care so much about each other—and you can see it on court."
Coach Trifonov vouched for that connection between the players.
"This is my 28th year coaching college volleyball and probably, this is the closest group—on and off the court—that I have seen," he said. "There is an an old saying between coaches saying the six best players don't necessarily make best the team on floor—and this team is a testament."
The team said that chemistry will be leaned upon Friday when they take on top seed and third overall ranked Louisville in the first round. But the Cougars are going in confident.
"Our schedule was pretty hard. We played Minnesota, We played Indiana. So I think that those games definitely prepared us here for the future," said Klaer. "Louisville is on another level, but I think that we can come in, and play gritty—and just hopefully, we can dance a little bit longer."
"You never know what's going to happen. That's why we play the games. So, you know, like, we're definitely going to compete," added Coach Trifonov. "Whether it was the first team seeded in the tournament or whether it was the 37th, you know, like, it doesn't matter. We're approaching it the same way."