Link to Article on The Red & Black
Olivia Sayer
Georgia sophmore outside hitter Estelle Haugen (10) jumps to hit the ball during the UGA vs Samford volleyball match at the Ramsey Center in Athens, Georgia on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo/ Laney Martin; @laneymartinphotography)
It’s often said that home is not about the place but about the people. Georgia volleyball certainly put that sentiment to the test to begin its season.
The team had to start its season in the Ramsey Student Center after Stegeman Coliseum was closed indefinitely due to construction and repairs.
What was head coach Tom Black’s first reaction when he heard the news?
“Well, I mean, I felt bad for [athletic director Josh Brooks] because the ceiling fell down,” Black said.
Condolences aside, the reality was that the Georgia volleyball team had to start its season on a different volleyball court, in a different building. While the move to Ramsey may seem like a big shift, the team didn’t see it as too much of a change.
“Challenges are great,” Black said. “We train [in Ramsey] every day, so we’re definitely comfortable in there.”
On the planning side, not many changes were needed, as the team essentially emulated the same plan it already had for practice. On the technical side, there were a couple of differences, such as the lack of light effects. Although the lights above the court in Ramsey were upgraded, the facility was not capable of the same electrifying light and sound effects of the Coliseum — the effects that help create a home-court advantage.
The second difference was the flooring. In Stegeman, the court is made of Teraflex, which is smoother for the athletes to move on. However, in Ramsey, the courts do not contain this material.
Given the circumstances, it would be understandable if the attendance was not as consistent as it was for the games in Stegeman. The Coliseum provides a home-court advantage that Ramsey simply isn’t equipped for. Georgia fans disagreed.
On Aug. 19, Georgia had its first exhibition match against the Clemson Tigers. The first serve was set for 1 p.m. and the support was evident from the moment a fan walked into the building.
Stationed across from Gabrielsen Natatorium, Bulldog fans lined the court, eager to get a glimpse of their team — on a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon, nonetheless. This showing was certainly not lost on the players, as they delivered a competitive battle ending in a Georgia victory.
“I thought it was a lot of fun,” graduate outside hitter Erica Staunton said after the exhibition. “It was a lot of fun hearing them involved — a really good dig happens or somebody has a really great block, even when you’re in the middle of the play, they were super loud and getting involved, which definitely gives us a lot of energy.”
This fan support has translated over to the regular season, as the team finished their tenure in Ramsey with a 5-2 record at home.
“I think that it definitely makes us enjoy playing the game more when [Georgia fans are] out here,” junior setter Clara Brower said. “And we’re really appreciative of them.”
The Bulldogs returned to Stegeman Coliseum on Oct. 15, where they will play the remainder of their home matches. They began their stay with a win against LSU, the first step as the team looks to build momentum in the later portion of the season.
“I’m really excited,” Brower said. “I’m really glad that our freshmen will be able to play in Steg this year and experience that, and then obviously for … all the seniors.”