women

Name: Erin Huebner
Age: 25
Where are you from: Brunswick, GA
Where do you play or coach: Played at Illinois State University, coached at University High School (Normal, IL) and Illini Elite VBC (Bloomington, IL)
How long have you been playing volleyball: 15 years
Favorite volleyball memory: going to the NCAA tournament in 2007 


How do you think that Jesus would coach volleyball?  

      Two verses come to mind when I think about how Jesus would coach: Ephesians 4:15 (“speaking the truth in love”) and Colossians 3:23 (“whatever you do, work at it with all your heart”). I think Jesus would speak the truth to His players in love. If you’re doing something wrong, He’s going to tell you…but always with the underlying motive that He loves you and knows how great you can be. Jesus would demand that we play with ALL of our hearts. No half effort. No slacking. Give it everything you have, every time.
What are some verses that you live by as a coach?

      I honestly don’t have any verses that I’ve particularly adopted as a coach. Although, in light of the question above, I suppose I would say that Ephesians 4:15 and Colossians 3:23 make sense to me from a coaching perspective.
How can you use your platform to glorify God? 

      The way that I treat my players, other coaches, and officials says everything about my walk with the Lord. When my words and actions are above reproach as a coach, God is glorified.
How does your relationship with Christ affect your relationship with your players? Coaches have an extremely influential role in their players’ lives. The more intimate I am with the Lord, the more holy my words and actions are towards your players.

Name: Tabitha Visk
Age: 22
Where are you from: Kenosha, WI
Where do you play or coach: Illinois State University
How long have you been playing volleyball: 8 years
Favorite volleyball memory: beating Creighton at Conference Tournament

Favorite God memory: Realizing how truly bless I am to be surrounded with amazing teammates, family, and community at Illinois State University.

Favorite Bible verse: Jeremiah 29:11

Anything else you think is cool about you or God: God is perfect!

What has volleyball done for you in your life?

Volleyball has taught me how I need to prioritize different parts of my life.  As a player, I sometimes forget that the whole world doesn't revolve around volleyball and what happens on the court in practices and games.  I need to put God first and let him help me work through every day.

How has volleyball brought you closer to God?

I’m not always going to have perfect days when playing volleyball.  Some days I am going to be tired and hurting, and other days I am going to mentally exhausted—but I know that every day I can still rely on a perfect God.
How do you see God on the volleyball court?

Sometimes after a good play or a great match, I’ll pick a spot up the stands and pretend God is actually sitting there.  I can look up there and thank him for the strength and opportunity he has given me throughout the entire match/practice.
How has playing for/with God transformed how you play?

I always want to put forth my best effort every day because that is what God commands us to do.  I now have a bigger reason to play than just to make my coach or teammates happy.
How can volleyball be used as a platform for Jesus?
Through my attitude on and off the court I can be a witness and light that shines the good news to the girls I play with and the fans who come to watch.
How have you carried your relationship with God off the court?
Off the court I continually ask God for strength to make it through practices, to balance school/sports, and to maintain a positive attitude.