While the 2020-2021 school year will look different for all universities across the nation, it holds special meaning for women's athletics at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as they celebrate 50 years of women's athletics in the Wisconsin Women's Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WWIAC) and later the WIAC.
Though there were Blugold teams prior to 1971, this was the first time that women's athletics had a governing body and started the organizational model that led to what we know today. Throughout the fall semester, the UW-Eau Claire Athletics Department will take a look at the history of Blugold Women's Athletics and share the stories of our women's programs and the people who made it all possible.
Each week will feature a Blugold women's sport as part of "Memorable Mondays" with the first week giving the overall history of women's athletics and note some of the key pioneers that led the way for future Blugolds. Follow the journey of the Blugold women through articles, photos and videos on Blugold Athletics social media.
Read our first story on the pioneers of women's athletics HERE
In 1970 UW-Eau Claire student, Kathy Myren, approached the PE Department and asked if they could start a volleyball team. Women's Athletics Pioneer and faculty member, Sandy Schumacher, agreed to be the coach, even though she was already coaching basketball and softball. Schumacher was willing to coach if the women were willing to work hard. According to volleyball player, Jaci Ristau, in those first few years the gals were excited to be a part of a team. For some, it was their first opportunity to wear real uniforms, which were gold shirts with brown shorts and were shared amongst the women's teams. It was exciting for them to travel around the state and eat at restaurants, but the chance to practice and compete at a high level were a dream come true.
Watch Kathy Myren talk about the early years and Sandy Schumacher
With the creation of the conference for women (WWIAC) in 1971, volleyball became a varsity sport and was on the way to becoming the powerhouse it is today. There have been six coaches at the helm for Blugold Volleyball. Schumacher coached until 1975 when Carla Moos (16-13) took over for two years, Bonnie Jano (67-195-9) from 1977-84, Shelly Fox (5-33) for one year, Hall of Fame Coach Lisa Herb (627-208) from 1985-2007, and current head coach, former Blugold setter and assistant coach, Kim (Arndt) Wudi (307-142) who's in her 14th season this year. In 50 years, this group of talented leaders produced All-Conference Athletes 111 times, All-Defensive Team Players 13 times, All-Region 28 times, and 25 All-Americans have put UW-Eau Claire Volleyball on the map. There have been four Conference Players of the Year, and 12 incredible women from volleyball have been inducted in the Blugold Hall of Fame, including Schumacher and Herb.
Watch Lisa Herb talk about the WWIAC
The team won their first conference championship in 1987 with a record of 20-1 and an overall school best record of 52-3. That was also the first time the volleyball program qualified for the NCAA Tournament where only 24 teams in the nation were selected. Two years later the Blugolds won their first ever match at the NCAA Regionals and made it to the final 16 in the nation. The Blugolds would go on to win the conference championship six total times, receive a bid to the NCAA Regionals 18 times and make the Final 16 seven times. In Herb's final two seasons, the Blugolds won their first two matches at the NCAA Regionals, making the Final 16. Both years ended at the hands of a WIAC foe, and those losses would sting for many years until the 2018-19 season under Coach Kim Wudi when the Blugolds made it to the Final Four. The success of that year gave the team an unforgettable experience and motivation to return to the National Championships.
Watch Lisa Herb talk about the early years of coaching and the developing of the sport
Many talented athletes have worn the jersey for Blugold Volleyball in the past 50 years, and all have contributed to the current success of the team. One of the notable players was Kristi (Griggs) Walston, who in 1987 led the conference in kills during the 52-3 season and became the first All-American on the team, an honor she would repeat in '88. She was an All-Conference player for three years and still holds the school record for the most solo blocks in a match (7).
"I attribute my All-American recognition to a talented team and outstanding coach," said Walston. "A winning offense includes great passers and setters who 'set' hitters up for success. They made my job easy and fun. All-American was never on my radar until Coach Lisa Herb planted the seed in my mind during our pre-season meeting. She saw potential I didn't and pushed me to be the best I could be. She had a gift to recognize talent and put it together to create a successful team."
All-American, Marnie (Blau) Harrington, was a four time All-Conference selection from 1994-97 and still holds many records today including kills in a match (29), kills in a career (1,633), digs in a match (47), digs in a season (739), digs in a career (2,140) and career service aces (292). Harrington was a steady leader for the Blugolds at the net and in the back row.
"I loved my time in Eau Claire, and I especially loved playing volleyball," said Harrington. "Volleyball is an amazing sport, but when I think about my time at EC, the things I remember the most are the incredible friendships that I made. The ladies that I met in the fall of 1993, I am still great friends with today. UWEC is like my extended family, and I feel so blessed to have been able to play volleyball and accomplish all that I did. The people that I encountered and the friendships I made at UW-Eau Claire are at the heart of it all!"
Brooke (Wozniak) Schmidt earned All-American status in 2003 and was a three-time All-Conference selection from 2000-03. She accomplished this while also dominating on the basketball court and in track and field for the Blugolds. Schmidt could knock the opponent over with the force of her hit from the middle.
"Many of my very best memories, friends, and husband came from competing in volleyball, basketball, and track & field at UWEC," said Schmidt. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the absolute best coaches, fans, alums, and teammates anywhere. Being a three-sport athlete in college allowed me to continue doing what I love. I loved spending all day, every day in the gym in the summer working out, coaching volleyball and basketball camps, and playing in summer leagues. Some of my favorite volleyball memories are from practice & our pregame ritual of swinging away at the coaches on the other side of the court, bus rides of nonstop talking with teammates, and most of all the incredible pride I felt every time I put on a UWEC jersey."
From 2002-2005 Molly Menard was a threat on the left side. Molly was a two-time All-Conference winner and an All-American her senior year. After graduation, Molly co-founded the National Volleyball League, a pro beach professional league, where she also competed as a player. Molly helped advance the sport of volleyball during her time as a Blugold and for many years after with her involvement in the NVL.
Sisters, Carly (Freiborg) Dus and Abby (Freiborg) Master played a key role in the success of the Blugolds from 2003-2008. The teammates were two-time All-Conference award winners, and both earned All-American status their senior years. Carly, a setter, holds the school record for most assists in a career (5,021), and Abby, a left side hitter, was the Conference Player of the Year in 2008.
"'You won't remember your wins and losses, but you'll remember your memories made'. Those words were wisely spoken to me after the devastating last match of our run to the Final Eight my senior year," said Dus. "And how true they are. Some of my greatest memories, lessons learned and friendships formed came from Blugold Volleyball. I was lucky to have personal achievements, even more lucky to have team successes but those faded, and the memories of bus talks, road trips, traveling to Italy, team get-togethers, and the countless hours of laughs and team bonding will stay with me forever. There is an unbreakable bond formed through endless hours of competition and drive to be the very best together. Thank you, Blugold Volleyball for four life changing years."
"The Blugold volleyball program helped shape who I am today," said Master. "During such an influential time, Blugold Volleyball surrounded me with amazing coaches and teammates. We were encouraged and inspired to be our best selves on and off the court. I had the support of the entire team throughout all four years of my college experience and beyond in all aspects of my life. Having this experience with my sister, Carly, was the icing on the cake. Now we get to reminisce together frequently and eventually force our own daughters to play for UWEC too."
Through all the changes in the game of volleyball, the Blugolds have continued to strive for excellence every year, on the court and in the classroom. Four volleyball players were named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans in the past 50 years, including Wudi twice, six earned the WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete Award, and on 20 occasions UWEC Volleyball players have been awarded the Super Six. The history and tradition are rich for Blugold Volleyball, and the legacy that began 50 years ago will continue to grow with each player who wears the jersey.
Watch Lisa Herb's thank you to the Pioneers
To continue this success, Lisa Herb has stepped forward to match the next $1,000 donated to the Women's Volleyball Fund in honor of the 50th Anniversary celebration. To contribute to the Women's Volleyball Fund or to Women's Athletics in general, visit the UWEC Foundation website.
