University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Volleyball Prepares for Saturday's Contests, Student-Athletes Reflect on Journey
10/23/2020 9:13:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss.-- The leaves are beginning to change colors, which typically means that volleyball season is in full swing, but for the Southern Miss squad, it makes for a beautiful welcome-back to the floor.
The Golden Eagles will host Louisiana Tech in a Saturday doubleheader at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. UAB was originally set to join the field but was unable to make the trip. While it is a closed event, free streaming will be available on CUSA.tv.
Southern Miss juniors Chloe Klusman and Duquesne Moratzka both began their collegiate careers elsewhere. Klusman came from West Virginia and had 37 kills and 16 blocks in her first year as a Golden Eagle. Moratzka played her first two years at Idaho State and even earned a Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honor last season.
"For me, it's been so welcoming," Moratzka, a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, said about her unconventional arrival in a pandemic year. "Everyone has embraced me so well, and I knew that coming in a lot of people here were transfers knew what I was going through all over the place. We all help each other out and that's been awesome for me."
Like many athletes who first reported to their teams nationwide in the summer, Moratzka began with a two-week quarantine. But that did not mean there was a shortage of welcoming from her teammates.
"When Du first got here, she had only met us on her visit and had to quarantine right away," Klusman said. "We had to get to know her digitally, so we sent her a little care package (which included a painting by Klusman of Moratzka's familiar Wyoming scenery)."
Klusman has seen the fruits of the team's labor amidst the uncertain times.
"We've grown so much in adversity," she said. "We have so many new people here and coming to a squad that was very fresh last year. We've adjusted together, and during this pandemic, we've gotten super close in different ways we normally wouldn't be used to, from quarantining to only seeing and talking to your teammates. Our team chemistry is the best it's ever been because we're so deeply involved with each other."
Even the alone time over the spring school shutdown made for new opportunities for the pair to cross things off their to-do list. Klusman said she was running every day and playing her favorite jams, getting outside more than normal since she is in an indoor sport.
"When I was in quarantine, I watched Criminal Minds a lot," Moratzka said. "I had never seen it, and I had always seen the scary episodes and never wanted to watch it. Then Avatar came on Netflix and I watched it four times."
Both athletes had their fair share of challenges getting back into the swing of things. Moratzka's adjustments centered around her colder Wyoming climate back home and not getting to see her team in full until the middle of summer. Klusman had shoulder surgery in December and says part of her rehab was learning how to hit again, but the practice balances with smaller groups gave her a deeper appreciation of it all.
And there is one thing in particular that she has had on her mind since the start of the semester.
"When we first heard the season was postponed to spring, my main concern was for our seniors," Klusman said. "It's their last opportunity. All I ever wanted was for them to have that chance, because we all work so hard to get here."
The Golden Eagles will host Louisiana Tech in a Saturday doubleheader at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. UAB was originally set to join the field but was unable to make the trip. While it is a closed event, free streaming will be available on CUSA.tv.
Southern Miss juniors Chloe Klusman and Duquesne Moratzka both began their collegiate careers elsewhere. Klusman came from West Virginia and had 37 kills and 16 blocks in her first year as a Golden Eagle. Moratzka played her first two years at Idaho State and even earned a Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honor last season.
"For me, it's been so welcoming," Moratzka, a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, said about her unconventional arrival in a pandemic year. "Everyone has embraced me so well, and I knew that coming in a lot of people here were transfers knew what I was going through all over the place. We all help each other out and that's been awesome for me."
Like many athletes who first reported to their teams nationwide in the summer, Moratzka began with a two-week quarantine. But that did not mean there was a shortage of welcoming from her teammates.
"When Du first got here, she had only met us on her visit and had to quarantine right away," Klusman said. "We had to get to know her digitally, so we sent her a little care package (which included a painting by Klusman of Moratzka's familiar Wyoming scenery)."
Klusman has seen the fruits of the team's labor amidst the uncertain times.
"We've grown so much in adversity," she said. "We have so many new people here and coming to a squad that was very fresh last year. We've adjusted together, and during this pandemic, we've gotten super close in different ways we normally wouldn't be used to, from quarantining to only seeing and talking to your teammates. Our team chemistry is the best it's ever been because we're so deeply involved with each other."
Even the alone time over the spring school shutdown made for new opportunities for the pair to cross things off their to-do list. Klusman said she was running every day and playing her favorite jams, getting outside more than normal since she is in an indoor sport.
"When I was in quarantine, I watched Criminal Minds a lot," Moratzka said. "I had never seen it, and I had always seen the scary episodes and never wanted to watch it. Then Avatar came on Netflix and I watched it four times."
Both athletes had their fair share of challenges getting back into the swing of things. Moratzka's adjustments centered around her colder Wyoming climate back home and not getting to see her team in full until the middle of summer. Klusman had shoulder surgery in December and says part of her rehab was learning how to hit again, but the practice balances with smaller groups gave her a deeper appreciation of it all.
And there is one thing in particular that she has had on her mind since the start of the semester.
"When we first heard the season was postponed to spring, my main concern was for our seniors," Klusman said. "It's their last opportunity. All I ever wanted was for them to have that chance, because we all work so hard to get here."
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