Rubeck's senior leadership important to Falcons success

Concordia University Wisconsin's Volleyball roster features a number of young talented players. Seven freshmen and six sophomores make up for over two thirds of the team, with Kelsa Rubeck serving as the lone senior. She knows that she will play a big role in their development.

The Eau Claire, Wis., native and defensive leader has experienced her ups and downs over the last three-plus years, but she is in a different role this season. The libero not only has to lead a team full of energy, but also fulfill the expectations set upon her and the team after the most successful season a year ago in program history.

"I think I definitely took on the responsibility of senior leader," Rubeck said. "Coach (Janelle Gabrielsen-Katz) never came out and said 'Okay, I need you to be a leader on the court' or anything like that, but with me being the only senior, that responsibility is known."

Despite the Falcons youth, the new additions will be expected to make an impact immediately.

"These freshman on our team right now are so significant," said Rubeck. "We are playing four freshman, so if they are not included that is over half of our team. We need to make them know that they are a huge part of this team and they should have just as much say as a senior or a junior does."

Making the jump from high school to the collegiate level can be difficult. A student-athlete has the difficulties of adjusting to a new team, coach and living environment, which can be overwhelming.

"As a freshman, volleyball is hard because you have a couple weeks of camp to get acquainted with the school, but then you begin classes and the season," Rubeck said. "During my freshman year after a rough week I talked with my RA (resident assistant). She told me that you can only choose two of the three S's in college. You can either have sleep, success or a social life; but you can only be successful at two."

Rubeck makes every effort to make the transition for every freshman as seamless as possible.

"When I was younger I always felt like an underclassmen," Rubeck explained about her freshman and sophomore seasons. "I really didn't like how that made me feel. As I progressed through the program, I really made an effort to make the younger players feel included."

With such a young team, other players have been forced to step into a leadership position on and off the court.

"I was joking around with the freshman one time during spring ball last year and told them ' You guys don't get to be sophomores next year because it's only Karina, Amanda and I as official upperclassman," Rubeck said. "We really need the sophomores to step up into that upperclassman role because we brought in so many freshmen. I definitely share that role with Karina for sure."

She believes the youth of the program can be a great asset; especially after the team won a program record 24 matches last season and had the No. 2 seed in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament.

"Right now our mood on the court is so positive," Rubeck with a smile. "I feel with the older players you can be snappier and with the underclassmen you have to be positive. Volleyball is such a mental game. Last year's team was so old that we would come out flat in some matches and we had to be harder on each other. Because of this year's youth we have to be a little more positive."

Not only is she a leader on the court, but in the classroom as well. Rubeck is pursuing a degree in Athletic Training, one of the more rigorous degrees on campus.

"Volleyball is definitely a priority for me, but I knew that I wanted to get a really solid education so I could graduate four years later and get a job," Rubeck explained when talking about life after CUW. "It's all about time management. I know that's what everybody tells you. Right now it is volleyball season and my fun is on the court. Once I am out of season I can have more of a social life, but right now studies and volleyball are the most important things."

Rubeck says she, like many other athletes, has spent many sleepless nights preparing for life after college, but she enjoys the challenge of balancing athlete and scholar.

"I love it," she said when talking about the game she has played her entire life. "I wouldn't give up volleyball for anything. I have seen a lot of teammates who have had to quit through the years because of school. Sometimes it frustrates me when people ask me 'are you still playing'? For people who don't know me, that's a question I suppose is valid; but for those who do know me know that that is not even a question. Volleyball is such a significant part of my life."

Rubeck knows the matches she has left in her career are dwindling as the days go by, but to her it's all about enjoying the moment and helping the Falcons win on and off the court