Former WNCC, Gering volleyball player Olivia Schaub leading Northwestern into NAIA playoffs

Former WNCC, Gering volleyball player Olivia Schaub leading Northwestern into NAIA playoffs
(WNCC Sports Information)
December 1st, 2021 | WNCC Sports Information

Former Western Nebraska Community College and Gering volleyball player Olivia Schaub is playing in two national volleyball tournaments in 2021 after helping Northwestern College to the NAIA national tournament that that started Tuesday in Sioux City, Iowa.

Schaub and her Northwestern College Raiders opened Pool F with impressive matches. The Raiders started the day topping College of Saint Mary in straight sets 25-17, 25-16, 25-21 and then needed five sets to get by Eastern Oregon 25-22, 20-25, 25-16, 22-25, 15-8.

The two wins on Tuesday moved Northwestern into the quarterfinals with a 2-0 record from their pool. The Raiders play at 6:30 p.m. (MST) on Thursday, but they do not know who they play yet.

Schaub said making the quarterfinals is exciting.

“Making it to the quarterfinals is such a surreal feeling,” she said. “Growing up, I dreamed about playing on teams like this. I am so proud of my teammates and so happy to make it to the Elite 8.”

Schaub said it is amazing that Northwestern got to the tournament.

“It is a huge honor to make it to the NAIA National tournament in Sioux City, Iowa,” Schaub, who led WNCC to the national tournament in April, said. “That has been the goal for our team since the beginning of the season, so we are excited to be able to compete for a national championship.

Schaub said as the number three seed, the team knew they had to play at the top of their game. They did just that, too.

“As the third seed in the pool, we knew we would have to play really tough [Tuesday],” she said. “We came out with tons of energy to start the first game and it carried on throughout the day. We played as a team and worked together to get the job done even when we were tired.”

The College of Saint Mary match was a rematch of a conference game that Northwestern lost in five sets. Tuesday morning, it was all Northwestern as they got the win in straight sets.

Schaub finished that match with six kills with a block and a dig.

The second match against Eastern Oregon was a humdinger. Both teams battled hard. Northwestern took a 2-1 lead but Eastern Oregon won the fourth 25-22 to force a fifth set. The fifth set was close for a few points and then the Raiders started to pull away. Schaub hammered down a kill to make it 10-5 and Northwestern won 15-8.

Schaub finished that match with 10 kills, four blocks, and two digs.

The Raiders entered the NAIA national tournament that will be held November 30 through December 4, with an 18-10 record and the third seed. The two wins on Tuesday advanced the Raiders into the quarterfinals with their 2-0 pool play record and moved their record to 20-10 on the season.

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