New location, new court surface for Blugold volleyball

But there is more good news. Blugold women’s volleyball just added another impressive distinction to their lore — the first Division III volleyball team in the country to play and practice on a Taraflex court.

Taraflex is a patented dual density foam cushion surface designed for peak performance in volleyball. It has become the standard court for professional leagues, the Olympic games and over 100 NCAA Division I teams.

Head coach Kim Wudi says there are many advantages to Taraflex, not the least of which is a safer playing surface.

“This unique surface provides a combination of clean lines for a better view of the game, excellent foot traction and added slide comfort as players dive for the ball. Above all, the added cushion will greatly reduce risk of injury to our players,” Wudi says.

“This technology is going to prolong the careers of professional players for sure. It’s that much of a game-changer.”

Senior Hanne Johnson, an outside hitter from Grantsburg, says this team understands the privilege and advantages this new court offers, and looks forward to a season that proves they are worth this investment.

“To practice and compete on the first Taraflex court in Division III is such an honor, and it’s something we don’t take for granted,” Johnson says.

“It’s a stunning addition to an already outstanding facility. This court acknowledges two pillars in the Blugold volleyball family, while also propelling us and the future success of Blugold volleyball.”

A court to honor a Blugold volleyball legacy

Blugold volleyball was able to purchase the floor this summer after a successful fundraising campaign, and a significant matching gift incentive from a generous donor. Wudi says the team should be able to get 10-15 years of use from this high-tech surface.

While naming rights can become a complicated endeavor in university athletics, Wudi says that the portable nature of this floor allowed the team to officially name the court after two pioneers of the Blugold volleyball program.

The Lisa Herb Court honors Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Hall of Fame coach Lisa Herb, whose storied coaching career from 1985-2007 made her the winningest coach in program history, with 627 wins and 208 losses in 22 years.

The court’s “Clare’s Corner,” located in front of the Blugold bench on the court, honors longtime team administrative assistant Clare Hohman, who worked alongside Herb from 1988-2007.

Wudi, who played for the Blugolds during this combined tenure, says there could not have been any other people for whom this new court could be named.

“When Lisa was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in June, we knew what this court needed to be called — she’s a legend and to have this opportunity to honor her contributions to this program come along at exactly the right time was really special.”

Herb says she’s “overwhelmed” by this recognition from a program so dear to her.

“I truly loved my opportunities to coach here and am so blessed to have worked with so many amazing athletes and people. So many people contributed to the success of the program,” Herb says.

“The connections we made with our players through the years continue to be impactful. It is wonderful still to be part of their lives, even just from a distance for some. I also love seeing how much they all care for one another, their families and the program. I thank God and all the Blugolds who contributed to volleyball — it is a very meaningful part of my life.”

In Wudi’s eyes, adding a tribute to Hohman was equally important.

“Clare was always the person making sure all players on our team understood how critical their role was, especially those who may not have seen a lot of court time in big games,” Wudi says. “She cheered, she encouraged, she even baked cookies — it was Clare’s purpose to hold the team together and give all the players the gift of knowing their value on our team.”

Hohman, who still works in Blugold athletics, gets a little choked up trying to express how it feels to be recognized in this way.

“The Blugold volleyball family is very close, and it's such an honor to be a part of it,” Hohman says. “I’ve known Kim and her assistant coach, Jodi, since they played as first-year students. To see them here now, coaching and leading this great program to places like a national championship is just so rewarding.”

Court dedication set for Sept. 19

The new court will be officially dedicated during the match against UW-Whitewater at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. The night also is designated as Chippewa Valley Night, featuring food, giveaways, promotions and contests from several area businesses.

“We are hoping to break the DIII attendance record for volleyball, so we need to see more than 3,200 people in the stands,” Hohman says.

Hohman says features have been added to draw a big student and community crowd, such as:

• A tailgate party for the students before the match on the riverfront patio at The Sonnentag.
• A pizza-eating contest for the Blugold teams from Athletes in Action.
• A UW-Eau Claire dance team performance at the tailgate party.
• Members of the Blugold Marching Band playing from the stands.
• T-shirts and a variety of freebies for the students.

Wudi is excited to start the official season and says nights like the court dedication will make for a special year. However, she reminds us that the goal remains for a winning season and getting back to the top of tournament play.

“It’s going to be a season of change, for sure, but we are embracing that and will use it to our advantage. In the big picture, we want to be better than we were last year — we definitely have some lofty goals, but nothing we can’t accomplish.”

Find the full season schedule for Blugold volleyball.

UW-Eau Claire students, faculty, and staff are admitted for free to all home events with a valid university ID, excluding NCAA postseason events. Faculty and staff can bring one guest for free.