Indiana State University Athletics

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – It was hardly a relaxing Friday afternoon for Indiana State's Volleyball program. Rather than relaxing after this morning's practice, the team was put through a grueling three-hour team building exercise that tested their physical and mental capacities with the United States Marine Corps.
 
Capt. Basch (USMC) spent the first hour with the team in a classroom setting discussing time management, focus and persistence before the team headed to the indoor facility for the physical challenges. In that session, the team was dividing into two groups and ran through a series of challenges that put them in a stressful and unfamiliar environment in order to force them to react and communicate as a team to accomplish their goals.
 
"Some of the things we did was put them under a combat load including packs, flak jackets and rifles and then put them through a series of hikes, calisthenics and challenges," Capt. Basch explained. "The idea is to get them physical exhausted so when it comes time to make decisions as a team they had to respond to that exhaustion."
 
The packs (35 lbs.), rifles (10) and flak jackets (15) added an extra 60 pounds of weight to each player throughout the physical challenges, including an opening hike and jog.
 
Each group went through a series of challenges that forced problem solving and communication while racing against the clock.
 
"We always have a plan going into a game," explained sophomore Chloe Carenza. "What we took away from this was when we hit a challenge we didn't know how to approach, when we rushed into action we struggled with finding the solution, especially with communication. The big takeaway was that even though it might seem like you are taking a step back and slowing down, you need to have a plan first to be successful."
 
The challenges ranged from pulling a tire to holding rifles out at arm's length and shoulder height while walking in formation to building a bridge with only two uneven planks of wood.
 
"During the challenges, I didn't think I liked it at all," freshman Madeline Williams said. "But looking back now, I definitely learned a lot. It was a great experience, very hard but definitely worth it."
 
In the end both groups showed the ability to overcome the challenges and to work together as a team to achieve their goals, never relenting in their drive to succeed.
 
"The biggest thing for us was the work ethic," Capt. Basch said. "We know there are going to be plenty of obstacles, plenty of things the girls haven't seen and they didn't quit the entire time. They pulled together, they worked hard and they did a really good job. They had a long practice earlier today and we just had them for three hours of pretty brutal training and they did great."
 
For the latest information on the Sycamore Volleyball team, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.