Family Bond
October 15, 2010 03:29 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W. Va. - Growing up in Murrieta, Calif., junior outside hitter Kylie Armbruster had never heard of the “Backyard Brawl” or even Pitt for that matter, before she made her decision to attend West Virginia University on a volleyball scholarship.
However, now over 3,000 miles and three years later, Armbruster has joined the Mountaineer nation in participating in one of the greatest rivals that spans over 100 years of WVU athletics.
On Saturday, Armbruster and the rest of the WVU volleyball team are set to square up against the BIG EAST foe, in the volleyball version of the “Backyard Brawl” at 7 p.m., at the WVU Coliseum. Despite a dominating advantage in the all-time record for the Panthers, this year, the stakes seem to be a little bit different.
“I had no idea that there was a Pitt, but when I came to WVU, I realized right away that it was our rival school,” Armbruster admitted. “It has taken on me a lot the past few years, but this year is the biggest year for me because we have every opportunity to beat them. After Pitt lost to USF and we beat them, it will be a dog fight.”
Last weekend, the Panthers fell in a 3-2 match to USF, and two days later, the Mountaineers hosted the Bulls at the Coliseum and posted a solid, 3-1 win, giving WVU some confidence going into today’s match.
Confidence has been a huge factor this season for the Mountaineers, as they have already posted several big wins, including victories over Marshall and USF for the first time in over five years. Next on the list is Pitt.
“I think that beating Pitt would be huge,” Armbruster said. “We showed ourselves what we can do against USF and I think getting Pitt under our belt too would show us that we can be consistent and that anything is possible. At this point, whoever wants it can take it.”
Armbruster, now a seasoned veteran, has been a starter on the WVU squad for three seasons and is one of the leaders that the team knows they can count on. Through 21 matches, she currently owns 113 kills, 183 digs, 16 blocks and 13 service aces.
A true team-player, Armbrusters’ ability to work well as a team could be partly be contributed to the fact she grew up in a team of her own. The second to oldest in a family of seven, Armbruster has four brothers and sisters that taught her how to work well with others growing up.
“I have two sisters and two brothers. My oldest sister, Nikki, is 22 and married. My youngest sister, Bobbi Rhea, is 18 and she goes to Chico State,” Armbruster said. “Then, I have two younger brothers Luke, who will be 12 in December and Jared who is 10.
“Growing up, you have to learn how to share and how to get along with all different types of personalities, so it definitely teaches you to work with a team because you don’t always get what you want. You have to learn to work together to make it all work.”
The Armbrusters have learned the definition of teamwork over the years, and despite being thousands of miles from each of them, Kylie still shares a close bond with her parents and all of her siblings. The only difference now is that she has developed another family here – her Mountaineer family.
“They are so far away, but the girls fill in and take that roll,” Armbruster added. “Out here the younger middle school girls that we sometimes work with always ask me if I miss my family. I tell them ‘yes I miss them, but here, my team is my family.’ They fill that void.”
With a crucial part of the season left, the WVU volleyball team still has high hopes of a visit to the BIG EAST Championships in Pittsburgh. However, with a tough remaining schedule, the Mountaineers must use their own family bond, starting with tonight’s match against Pitt.
“I am ecstatic and our team is so fired up for this match,” Armbruster ended. “It would mean a lot for us for people to come out, because it is going to be a really good game and it means a lot to our team and school to get this win.”
Tonight’s match has been designated “Dollar Night” with all hot dogs, popcorn and Coca-Cola products available for purchase for just one dollar. Admission is free.
However, now over 3,000 miles and three years later, Armbruster has joined the Mountaineer nation in participating in one of the greatest rivals that spans over 100 years of WVU athletics.
On Saturday, Armbruster and the rest of the WVU volleyball team are set to square up against the BIG EAST foe, in the volleyball version of the “Backyard Brawl” at 7 p.m., at the WVU Coliseum. Despite a dominating advantage in the all-time record for the Panthers, this year, the stakes seem to be a little bit different.
“I had no idea that there was a Pitt, but when I came to WVU, I realized right away that it was our rival school,” Armbruster admitted. “It has taken on me a lot the past few years, but this year is the biggest year for me because we have every opportunity to beat them. After Pitt lost to USF and we beat them, it will be a dog fight.”
Last weekend, the Panthers fell in a 3-2 match to USF, and two days later, the Mountaineers hosted the Bulls at the Coliseum and posted a solid, 3-1 win, giving WVU some confidence going into today’s match.
Confidence has been a huge factor this season for the Mountaineers, as they have already posted several big wins, including victories over Marshall and USF for the first time in over five years. Next on the list is Pitt.
“I think that beating Pitt would be huge,” Armbruster said. “We showed ourselves what we can do against USF and I think getting Pitt under our belt too would show us that we can be consistent and that anything is possible. At this point, whoever wants it can take it.”
Armbruster, now a seasoned veteran, has been a starter on the WVU squad for three seasons and is one of the leaders that the team knows they can count on. Through 21 matches, she currently owns 113 kills, 183 digs, 16 blocks and 13 service aces.
A true team-player, Armbrusters’ ability to work well as a team could be partly be contributed to the fact she grew up in a team of her own. The second to oldest in a family of seven, Armbruster has four brothers and sisters that taught her how to work well with others growing up.
“I have two sisters and two brothers. My oldest sister, Nikki, is 22 and married. My youngest sister, Bobbi Rhea, is 18 and she goes to Chico State,” Armbruster said. “Then, I have two younger brothers Luke, who will be 12 in December and Jared who is 10.
“Growing up, you have to learn how to share and how to get along with all different types of personalities, so it definitely teaches you to work with a team because you don’t always get what you want. You have to learn to work together to make it all work.”
The Armbrusters have learned the definition of teamwork over the years, and despite being thousands of miles from each of them, Kylie still shares a close bond with her parents and all of her siblings. The only difference now is that she has developed another family here – her Mountaineer family.
“They are so far away, but the girls fill in and take that roll,” Armbruster added. “Out here the younger middle school girls that we sometimes work with always ask me if I miss my family. I tell them ‘yes I miss them, but here, my team is my family.’ They fill that void.”
With a crucial part of the season left, the WVU volleyball team still has high hopes of a visit to the BIG EAST Championships in Pittsburgh. However, with a tough remaining schedule, the Mountaineers must use their own family bond, starting with tonight’s match against Pitt.
“I am ecstatic and our team is so fired up for this match,” Armbruster ended. “It would mean a lot for us for people to come out, because it is going to be a really good game and it means a lot to our team and school to get this win.”
Tonight’s match has been designated “Dollar Night” with all hot dogs, popcorn and Coca-Cola products available for purchase for just one dollar. Admission is free.
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