Chippewa Valley Times

Blugold women’s volleyball at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will begin its upcoming season on a new court surface, becoming the first NCAA Division III volleyball team in the country to play and practice on a Taraflex court. Taraflex is a patented dual-density foam cushion surface that has become common in professional leagues, Olympic games, and more than 100 NCAA Division I teams.

Head coach Kim Wudi outlined the benefits of the new 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 said. “This technology is going to prolong the careers of professional players for sure. It’s that much of a game-changer.”

Senior outside hitter Hanne Johnson commented on what it means for her team: “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 said. “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.”

The new floor was purchased following a fundraising campaign and with help from a matching gift incentive from a donor. The team expects to use this high-tech surface for 10-15 years.

The court is named after two individuals who played key roles in building Blugold volleyball's legacy. The Lisa Herb Court honors former head coach Lisa Herb, who led UW-Eau Claire from 1985-2007 with 627 wins over 22 years, making her the winningest coach in program history. A section called “Clare’s Corner” recognizes Clare Hohman, longtime administrative assistant who worked with Herb between 1988-2007.

“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,” Wudi said.

Herb expressed appreciation for being recognized: “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 said. “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.”

Wudi emphasized Hohman’s impact as well: “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 said. “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 continues her work with Blugold athletics today: “The Blugold volleyball family is very close, and it's such an honor to be a part of it,” Hohman said. “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.”

The official dedication ceremony for the new court will take place during UW-Eau Claire's match against UW-Whitewater at 7 p.m., Friday Sept. 19—a night designated as Chippewa Valley Night—with food offerings, giveaways from local businesses, contests including pizza-eating competitions organized by Athletes in Action (https://athletesinaction.org/), performances by UW-Eau Claire dance team members at tailgate parties (https://www.blugolds.com/sports/dance/index), appearances by members of Blugold Marching Band (https://www.blugolds.com/sports/mbb/index), t-shirts and freebies aimed at attracting students.

“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 said.

Coach Wudi noted that while there are changes ahead this season—including using new facilities—the main goal remains competitive success: “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.”

UW-Eau Claire students as well as faculty or staff can attend home events free with university ID; faculty or staff may bring one guest without charge except during NCAA postseason events.