Whether pre-game habits or post-match celebrations, traditions are essential to the players on the VSU women’s soccer and volleyball teams.   

As a senior on the soccer team, Jocelyn Oballe plays a pivotal role in passing on the team’s traditions to underclassmen, ensuring the continuity and significance of these customs.  

Outside foward, Jocelyn Oballe.

“Being a part of the VSU women’s soccer team has been an incredible journey, and our traditions play a huge role in that. From the pre-game dance traditions to other traditions that we have off the field as a team. As a senior on the team, I’ve had the privilege of not only experiencing these traditions firsthand but also passing them on to the younger players,” said Oballe, an outside forward.  

“To be specific, the dance tradition we do before every home game goes with the song, ‘Turn My Swag On.’ “We all huddle up, put our arms around each other, and sway to the song. We each also know every word to the first minute of the song which is why we call it a tradition,” said Oballe.   

According to Oballe and Ava Young, by embracing these unique team duties, players can create deep connections with one another and honor their teams’ legacy.   

Ava Young is a junior on the VSU volleyball team. She is originally from Rockford, Michigan. She has enjoyed her time at VSU and has developed the team’s traditions and traits throughout her years here.  

Middle blocker, Ava Young.

“I think team traditions are fun and important because they create team chemistry. My team always walks down a certain hallway before a game instead of the other for no real reason,” said Young, a middle blocker for the team.  

“It’s just a tradition we have, but we each always walk down it together, because it’s just something we do. These traditions are something very close to the team because in return we create teammate bonds and memories,” said Young.  

The traditions upheld by the VSU women’s soccer and volleyball teams are not just rituals, but integral parts of the team’s culture. They play a crucial role in fostering team unity and identity, as these athletes have explained how these traditions encapsulate the teams’ morals and chemistry. 

 Written by Ansley DeCenzo, Staff writer. Photos courtesy of VSU Athletics.