Rachel Refenes wants to win. After two years at the University of Mississippi, a program that had a 7-24 record last season and a 9-17 record the previous year, Refenes is now a member of the Ball State University women's volleyball team.
The championship banner's in Worthen Arena helped her decide Ball State was the place for her, but Refenes and the rest of the Cardinals want to add another banner this season.
"I transferred because it was better volleyball all around the conference," Refenes said.
For head coach Randy Litchfield, adding a transfer was a little bit scary at first.
"There's a reason why they're leaving where they're at, and getting the whole story is always a challenge," Litchfield said. "Rachel pretty much simply said that she wanted to win.
"That's the kind of transfer you want, somebody that is pretty focused on one thing that they want to close out the two remaining years of their volleyball career as winners."
Last season, the Cardinals struggled in the front court due to injuries, but this season should be improved with those players healthy and the height of 6-3 Refenes.
"Rachel was probably the missing ingredient to our team last year," Litchfield said. "We were one big, physical body short of being pretty good."
Refenes will not only bring a big body, but one that can jump. She reaches 8-1 and can jump 10-1.
"She's got the highest touch on the team and the longest arms I've ever seen here at Ball State," junior Sarah Obras said. "I really feel like she can come in and make a huge impact right away."
Refenes led Mississippi in blocks both her freshman and sophomore years. With 124 total (28 solo, 96 assists) her freshman season and 120 total (33 solo, 87 assists) her sophomore season, Refenes will have the most career blocks among active players. Junior Kristin Westhof is the second highest with 148 over her two years.
"I think what's really great is that she's really tall, but she's quick and athletic," senior libero Stephanie Keller said. "She comes in and brings a whole new dynamic to blocking to our team, which is definitely helpful in the back court."
While the presence at the net should be easily seen, Refenes said she hopes to bring some excitement to the team as well.
"I get really animated and totally excited," Refenes said. "In practice, I definitely most of the time get intense, and when I block, I just go crazy like it's a game."
While the addition of Refenes will help the team on the court, Litchfield said he is always worried how a transfer will affect team chemistry. With Refenes, however, there was no need to worry.
"She came in without being timid; she's very much an individual, and that's a good thing," Litchfield said. "I think it allows her to get along with everybody."
The first person Refenes met was senior setter Stacie Baldwin, and Refenes said the two seemed to find a connection.
"The first few times I hit off her I was like, 'oh my God, we're connecting right away' and I got really excited," Refenes said.
Baldwin said Refenes has helped her keep her consistency as a setter through their time working together.
"She wasn't afraid to just jump right in there and tell me the kind of sets she demands," Baldwin said.
For other middle attackers on the team, it brings competition with one more person in the mix for playing time.
"This is true with anything, you bring in another person in the same position that's going to get all the people in that position going a little harder," Keller said. "They're all fighting because they want to play, which is great."
Even though they're all competing for time on the court, Refenes is still fitting in with team.
"So far, she's been a home run with her personality and how she's fit in with this team," Litchfield said.
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