Hamline Volleyball: Senior Class 2014

Becky Egan, head coach of Hamline volleyball, said one of things she told the seniors: Lynsey Reimer, Paige Walters, Stephanie Kaup and Caitlyn Gottwald, was they were leaving behind a legacy for the program.

“Seeing how much pride they took in Hamline volleyball and that they’ll always think of us as ‘we’ and not ‘you guys next year’…they bought into it so much. I couldn’t have asked for a better crew to be able to do that,” Egan said.

Before the 2014 season, Egan had the team take a personality test before the start of the 2014 season and she said an interesting result was how each of the four seniors were a different personality type, according to this test there are only four personality types. She said it interesting how dynamic they were and how they were still a cohesive bunch.

Egan said the seniors have helped pave the way for next year’s squad and is optimistic the success will continue.

“They’re [next year’s seniors] excited and they know they can do big things,” Egan said. “It’s another good crew coming up.”

Former head coach Audrey Ludwig (2010-2012) said she’s proud of how the remaining seniors turned the program around and calls them “believers.”

“People who aren’t discouraged…more motivated on how they can make this a positive opportunity,” Ludwig said. “That group was dedicated in achieving the goal they wanted to achieve…it’s a testament to the type of people they were.”

Former teammate of the four seniors, Sam Greeney-Hamlin (2010-2013) expressed how big of an impact they had.

“I am sure they are sad to be finished with their volleyball careers, but they have left a lasting impact on the Hamline volleyball program, ” Greeney-Hamlin messaged via email.

Lynsey Reimer, co-captain and libero: Personality type gold

Inspired by her friends, Reimer decided to start playing volleyball in seventh grade. She continued to play and when it came down to committing to a college one of her influences in choosing Hamline University over the University of Minnesota was to play volleyball. From the rural area of Dubuque, Iowa, she wanted to go to a school in a big city. She liked Hamline because it was a smaller school setting in a big city.

She said Ludwig really sold her on Hamline as well.

After Reimer’s first season with the Pipers, Ludwig said she took strides and became one of the leaders on the court.

Gottwald said she will remember Reimer for her work ethic.

“One of the hardest working people on the team,” Gottwald said. “She’s intense on and off the court.”

During her third season, her first under Egan, she began receiving a lot of attention from around the conference. In addition to the Pipers playoff appearance, she was named on the All-MIAC team and was named the Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

Greeney-Hamlin expressed she saw a lot of growth from Reimer during the 2013 season because of her commitment.

“She was the true definition of a competitor and worked hard day in and day out,” Greeney-Hamlin messaged via email.

Reimer’s final season, 2014, the Pipers were one conference win away from making the playoffs. Reimer said she’s proud of the turn around this program has made and expects the success to continue.

“This season I really got to experience success with my best friends,” Reimer said. “We were the first one’s who got it all started and I think the future Hamline volleyball teams will look back and appreciate they didn’t have to go through what we did because we did it for them.”

Reimer is also in the record books for digs for third most in a career with 1,717 and the most digs averaged per set with 5.10.

“I’m proud of myself but I don’t think that I’m going to look back in five, 10 years and say ‘hey, I’m in the record book.’ I’m going to look back and say I was on a winning team when I played volleyball at Hamline and look where they are now,” Reimer said.

She said she will remember this team being a family and her favorite memories were sharing the success with her teammates. She said two memories that will always stick with her is sweeping Gustavus on the road during the 2013 season and the team’s final game in the 2014 season against St. Catherine.

“It was awesome, I was glad to go out with a win. Ending the way we did I wouldn’t want it to end a different way,” Reimer said. “That was a crazy emotional night for me and for everyone…it was sad looking around and being like ‘this is the last time I’m ever going to do this’…I looked back at Steph and she kind of gave me the ‘okay’ and that was right before we scored the last point.”

Paige Walters, co-captain: Personality type blue

After watching her older sister play volleyball, Walters decided to play when she was in fourth grade. Walters was drawn to Hamline as they were in the shuffle along with other schools who were recruiting her for track. She said she expressed interest playing volleyball and Hamline’s track and field coach Shawn Johnson-Hipp made the best effort to get her connected with a volleyball program.

After spending a season with the volleyball team, she decided to opt out of track because she wanted to focus on one sport and she built special bonds with her teammates on the volleyball squad.

“I really just love the team aspect [and] track is more of an individual sport. Even though I thrive off of competition, after spending fall with the volleyball girls…I couldn’t walk away from that,” Walters said.

During her second year on the team, Walters took charge and let her presence be known.

“Paige became a huge vocal leader for our team and truly led by example,” Greeney-Hamlin messaged.

She was rewarded with the title of team captain along with Greeney-Hamlin and Reimer for the 2013 season.

Worried she’d be stuck with a building team during her entire collegiate career, Walters said Egan came in the 2013 season and changed that mindset. Walters was along the ride and experienced being one of the leaders on the team to help turn the program around.

“Proud moment knowing that I was a part of that, not only was I a team member but all of us were like integral parts,” Walters said.

One of things Walters said will stick with her was how dynamic they all were as people and yet they still were able to work together effectively.

“It was weird that we (seniors) all had different colors [on the personality test] but that just kind shows the kind of dynamic we had on the team and different roles. How everyone came together to create the awesome end result we had,” Walters said.

Egan said Walters always brought passion to everything she did.

“No matter what it was, a small thing or little thing she was always passionate that things were getting done the right way and just the pride that she has in what we do was outstanding,” Egan said.

Gottwald said Walters always took pride in being on Hamline volleyball.

“She really, really embraced her role on the team no matter what it was,” Gottwald said. “She was always there to pick people up when they needed it.”

Walters said one the memories that will always stick with her is the final game of her career near the end and shared what was going through her mind.

“This is it; this is where it ends, from fourth grade to senior year in college. I’m 21 and a-half years old and this is like the last time I’ll be wearing this jersey,” Walters said. “[I’ll remember] the look on everyone else’s face and just the feeling you get from the crowd and the atmosphere.”

After her final season with the Pipers, Walters was rewarded with the honor of being named on the Sportsmanship team.

“My number one fan in life,” Reimer said. “One of those people you’re lucky to know.”

Stephanie Kaup, the class clown: Personality type orange

Since 11 years of age, Kaup played volleyball and she said being recruited to play volleyball at Hamline was what brought her to Minnesota coming from Arizona.

Kaup said after high school she wasn’t sure if she wanted to play volleyball on a college level but after being convinced by Ludwig and hearing about Hamline’s business program, she decided to give it a go. She said when she arrived to Hamline she was amazed with how “passionate” and “excited” the other players on the team were.

Teammates and incoming recruits was what kept Kaup coming back to play volleyball.

“They’ve made me who I am today,” Kaup said.

Greeney-Hamlin complemented Kaup on her personality and claims it helped the team.

“Steph was my counterpart so we spent lots of time together and she always found a way to make me laugh. She was always able to brush things off and move on and I know the team looked up to that,” Greeney-Hamline messaged.

Reimer elaborated.

“You have a smile on your face when you think of Steph,” Reimer said.

Ludwig said on the court Kaup took a big step in her second season.

“She came in as someone fun, energetic [and] turned into a go-to player,” Ludwig said.

During Kaup’s third season, when the team began to grow and flourish, she said it was “amazing” to see them play to their potential.

“We didn’t make baby steps, we made giant steps,” Kaup said. “We’ve changed dramatically in that one year… it was just ridiculous and knowing that hardwork and dedication does payoff in the long run.”

When the Pipers became more competitive under Egan, Egan said Kaup’s personality helped keep things light for the team.

“When things started to get pretty dark or pretty intense coming from me I was able to look at her and she’d have some remark, ‘like okay, lighting up.’ I think that something that is necessary for every team to have,” Egan said.

Kaup said her favorite memory with Hamline volleyball was their home game against Gustavus on Oct. 3, 2014. The Pipers were down by two sets and came back to win three straight.

Kaup said a memory that sticks with her was after they had dropped the second set the team was speechless and had “a look of defeat on them,” when Egan spoke to them. Kaup recalls Egan leaving the huddle and going back to her seat during the break in set rather than give them a pep talk.

“That’s what got everybody fired up,” Kaup said. “In the next three matches, we pulled it out. We won. I just remember after the game I was like in shock. ‘Did that really just happen? Did we really win all three of those games?’…It was the most exciting game I’ve played at Hamline.”

Kaup said one of the things she’s learned through her college experience with volleyball is to not take things for granted. She explained how some of her high school friends who decided not to continue volleyball in college regret their decision and as someone who almost done the same, she’s glad she made the decision to play.

“Coming to Hamline was the best decision in my life to play volleyball. I loved every moment of it. I never felt a moment of regret,” Kaup said. “You can’t take the little things for granted, you have to cherish the moments you have with it.”

Caitlyn Gottwald, the transfer: Personality type green

Gottwald began playing volleyball since seventh grade when her mother signed her up for it. After having success with volleyball she decided to continue playing all the way to college. She first went to University of Minnesota-Morris. She said she didn’t have a good experience there and was looking for a fresh start elsewhere. Ludwig convinced her Hamline was the place to be.

Gottwald joined the Pipers for the 2012 season and instantly realized how the competition level in the MIAC differed from the previous conference she played in, the UMAC.

“This conference is insanely more challenging. The teams’ abilities in the MIAC are exceeding UMAC abilities,” she said.

Ludwig describes Gottwald as “detail oriented” and “competitive.” She said she definitely made an immediate impact when she came to play for the Pipers.

“She brought a lot of wit and fun and caring to the team,” Ludwig said.

Greeney-Hamlin explained how Gottwald was always willing to make adjustments for the team whether it was position changes or her style of play. Throughout it all, Greeney-Hamlin described her as a “consistent and dependable player.”

Gottwald said her two most fond upon memories came from the 2013 season. She said she enjoyed the trip when the team traveled to Colorado for a nonconference tournament in 2013 because she was able to spend time off the court with her teammates. Her favorite moment was when the team was able to make the playoffs in 2013.

“Making playoffs was a huge step for Hamline, it put us on the map. It made teams think twice about what we were capable of,” Gottwald said.

When its all said and done, Gottwald wants people to remember Hamline volleyball for their resilience.

“I want people to remember [Hamline volleyball], as the team that never gave up. That proved to a lot of people that we are definitely capable of playing with some of the best ranked teams in the nation,” Gottwald said.

Kaup described Gottwald as headstrong, passionate, persistent, determined and competitive. However, Gottwald said she has learned a thing or two from being on the squad.

“It taught me a lot about not only competing as an athlete but learning to laugh at myself and enjoy what I’m doing, not take everything in life so seriously,” Gottwald said.

When Gottwald played her final collegiate game at Hutton Arena on Oct. 31, 2014, she said there was one thing running through her mind near the tail end of the game.

“I was looking at all of the three years that I had spent with the other seniors. How much we’ve changed since I’ve came here and how proud I was for our team for not only making me a better person but just for an amazing experience,” Gottwald said.