They started lives totally different—one from Urbana, Illinois, while the other is from Riga, Latvia. When it was time for their collegiate careers to begin, one went to Parkland College while the other chose Kansas State.
Although their lives started different, seniors Rachel Robinson and Ginta Gabruseva’s path led them both to the University of Evansville volleyball team. Now with the last game of the 2009 season on Friday versus Southern Illinois at 7:00 p.m. at Carson Center, the girls’ roads will veer off in new directions but always lead back to UE.
Robinson started her first season at UE in 2008 after playing two years at Parkland College where she was her conference Player of the Year after her sophomore year and a second-team All-American selection.
“With Rachel, we were originally interested in her for a lot of reasons,” said Evansville head coach Mike Swan. “As far as a middle, she was productive offensively and defensively. She was hitting a good percentage there and blocking has probably always been her stronger skill.”
Robinson’s attention to UE was how strong the Missouri Valley Conference was and what the school had to offer her academically. “The business school is one of the best ones in the nation,” Robinson said. “They also offered the entrepreneurship class and Harlaxton. I thought the coaching staff was really knowledgeable, and I got along well with the girls.”
During her first season as a Purple Aces, Robinson led the team with 0.75 blocks per set and better it this season with a 0.81 average. Her 6-2 frame has helped Robinson tally 90 total blocks while at Evansville. In Evansville’s comeback wins over Illinois State and Indiana State, Robinson totaled 16 blocks to help the Aces to victory.
Although she will remember games like the 2008 MVC Tournament and this year’s win over Creighton, some of Robinson’s favorite memories in games are when the team gets those comeback victories. “Any game where we had to overcome adversity to win in a good memory just because that is a really great feeling.”
“The two years that she has been here we have enjoyed working with her,” Swan said. “At times she has played well. As far as coaching, she has a great attitude, works hard and listens well. I’m hopeful that she fills she did the best thing coming here.”
Gabruseva transferred to UE after one season at Kansas State and has been a consistent statistical leader for the Aces during her three years.
“First thing I knew about UE was that it was really close to my cousin,” Gabruseva said. “I did some research and the school is really good. The second day I found out I was going to come, one of my former teammates called me and was like, ‘I’m so excited! I can’t wait for you to come!’ We just bonded right away. It was good to know that when I come from overseas, that I have a family waiting on me and it would make it a lot easier for me to go back being far away from family. I love it here.”
Last year, Gabruseva led the team and was eighth in the conference with 26 service aces and was named to the MVC All-Tournament Team. This season, Gabruseva leads the team 348 kills, 3.08 kills per set and 990 total attempts while ranking fourth in the conference in kills per set.
“Finally this last year, Ginta was in the shape that she needed to be,” Swan said. “Issues with her knee weren’t a problem for the first time. We utilized her being healthy by having her play all the way around—serve receive, back row defense. At times she can be intimidating at the net with her hitting and her blocking.”
As Robinson and Gabruseva are honored at senior night, both girls have one thing that they will miss very much in the team that has become their family. Not only will they miss the team, but the team will also miss them.
“They bring commrodery to the team,” Swan said. “All the girls like and respect them and their skill level and work ethic. I think in Ginta’s case we are going to miss her offense, and Rachel’s blocking. It’s not something you can replace overnight, especially upperclassmen like that. They have been really good people to have in our program, and that makes me the most pleased is that we haven’t had any issues with them at all.”
