Focus on the next play. Worry about what is coming next. Don’t fixate on the errors; everyone makes mistakes.

This advice from Chapman women’s volleyball head coach Mary Cahill is something that lingers  in the mind of sophomore Cat Helgeson – who, as a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed freshman,  propelled the team to a 23-5 record last season. 

“I was pretty surprised because I didn’t think that I would get the chance to play my freshman year,” Helgeson said. “But Mary put her faith in me and I’m really glad that she did.” 

In her debut season, Helgeson led all NCAA freshmen – throughout Division I, Division II and Division III –  in digs, with 575 total and 5.93 digs per set. As a freshman starter, her achievement wasn’t something Helgeson expected coming into the season. However, Cahill encouraged and pushed her to success.

“In the beginning – she didn’t show it – but she might’ve been a little nervous,” Cahill said. “For a freshman to step up and start, it took her a little while to get comfortable … but she got used to it and it helped improve her play.”

Cahill said she believes Helgeson will be a great team leader in the future, with the youngster stepping up on the court by showing courage, confidence and a willingness to be coached. 

Despite her coach’s praise and her recognition by the NCAA, Helgeson directed her thanks toward her teammates. 

“The whole team just worked really hard together in every single practice and game,” Helgeson said. “Seeing all the upperclassmen put all their effort into it made me want to put all my effort into it.”

It wasn’t just the upperclassmen – Helgeson found herself among eight other energetic freshmen faces on the team in the 2019 season. Together, they helped one another shake off nerves and become more comfortable on the court.

“When it’s volleyball season we’re pretty much with each other 24/7, whether that be at practice, games, together in the dorms and doing homework together,” said sophomore middle blocker Raegan Duguid. 

Rather than being focused on individual success, Helgeson focuses on team goals: to win as many games with her new friends as she could. By viewing her role as a small part of a bigger team, she hopes to create a culture of success. 

“A lot of people have told me not to worry about the end goal. We shouldn’t focus on everything we’re doing wrong, but when you’re playing, just focus on how you can help the team,” Helgeson said. “In the end, everything that I am doing is to help another one of my teammates.”