In the net- Rachel Quackenbush (left), Lauryn Barfell (right) go up for a block

The student section in Luckey Arena cheered as the Indiana Wesleyan University volleyball team sealed its victory in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament by beating Montreat (N.C.) 25-13, 25-15, 25-17. But these weren’t your normal cheers. They were quacks.

Maybe fans were going a little crazy because the 35-4 Wildcats wrapped up their first undefeated home schedule in program history. Maybe it was because IWU is now headed to Sioux City, Iowa, to compete in the field of 24 and a shot at the NAIA National Championship. But the best bet is that it was because Rachel Quackenbush (jr) ended the game with her fourth kill of the night, sending Wildcat faithful into their usual cheer for the outside hitter.

“I just went out there and wanted to have a good time and show everybody how good our team is,” Quackenbush said after the match. “We worked really hard, it’s just exciting to get to this point.”

As for the quacks, she said she loves the cheer.

“They really get me going; they encourage me a lot,” Quackenbush said. “This is the first [place] people have chanted that, but I like it. Hopefully they keep doing it.”

Although several members of the team, including coach Candace Moats, said they expected the straight-set win, the team knows it faces a tough challenge in the rest of the tournament.

“I just think we have better players and we’re just a little more skilled than they are,” said Moats of tonight’s opponent. “We were pretty confident we were gonna win it. That will not be the mindset going into Iowa.”

MCC Libero of the Year Kelsey Masuda (sr) called it a “bittersweet” win for the seniors, who played their final home game in Luckey, but said she is looking forward to the challenge of the NAIA Tournament.

“We’re gonna have fun in nationals; it’s gonna be a good time.” Masuda said. “Everything is heightened, we’re going against bigger schools, bigger hitters, bigger blocks and we have to heighten everything about our performance.”

Wildcats head coach Candace Moats turned her back to the celebration that was happening on the volleyball court. Her team had just defeated Taylor University in Odle Arena to win the MCC Tournament Championship on Saturday.

Moats turned to athletic trainer Jess Keller, “Oh my gosh, I’m happy,” Moats said.

Happy was only one of the many words Moats used to describe her mood after Indiana Wesleyan University came back from a 2-1 set deficit to beat the Trojans and earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament.

The Wildcats came within one point of losing in the fourth set, which would have potentially ended their season. But, as the team will tell you, these Wildcats don’t give up.

“We didn’t play the game that we necessarily wanted to, but we stuck together and that’s the best part,” said Lauryn Barfell (sr).

“We have fight. That’s the bottom line, we were down in the fourth set 8-15, that could have been it,” said Kelsey Masuda (sr), who was named the MCC Libero of the Year. “But we had fight and we stayed steady.”

Even IWU Athletic Director Mark DeMichael, who attended he game, took notice.

“They stayed together when it wasn’t looking good and they kept playing,” DeMichael said. “These girls just have never quit. They had every opportunity to tonight and they didn’t. It’s just unbelievable.”

The next step for the Wildcats is the first round of the NAIA Tournament, where they will play Montreat College (N.C.) in Luckey Arena on Saturday at 7 p.m.

This is IWU’s first-ever home game in the NAIA Tournament, and second appearance overall. The Wildcat’s only other berth in the national tournament came in 2008, when Masuda and Barfell were both freshmen on the team. But this squad hopes to perform better than the ‘08 version, which lost in the opening round.

“We have a lot more talent and cohesion on this team,” Masuda said, “This is a very, very special team.”

Peyton Thompson (sr) is a big part of that special team; she transferred to IWU last season, bringing D-I experience from East Carolina University and Wichita State. However, Thompson said this Saturday’s match tops all of her previous games.

“I’ve played in some big matches, but none of them have ever really meant this much,” Thompson said “Just because of the girls and the coaches, so I’m really excited. I think we can go all the way, I really do.”

The Wildcats have a certain confidence to them this season. Several players and even coach Moats have come close to guaranteeing victories, including for this Saturday’s match. Some of that confidence may come from the 16-game win streak IWU is riding, and some of it may come from the chance to play at home for the program’s first NAIA Tournament win.

“It makes me sad but at the same time it makes me want to go out with a boom; to end the season here at IWU amazingly,” Masuda said. “When we get to the final site when we win this Saturday, it’s going to be exciting because there’s going to be big-time schools there, and we’re going to step up to the challenge. This team is very good with challenges.”

As for Moats, the 2011 MCC Coach of the Year, she said the team is more than ready to take on those challenges.

“To automatically get there and not have to worry and wait for some kind of bid is just a privilege and it’s exciting,” said Moats. “I’m ready to go to Iowa.”

Most of us know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We may choose, however, to observe it personally in several different ways. Whether it be throwing a pink ribbon on our car, joining a cleverly named Facebook group or simply taking some time to think about someone we know who has fought this terrible disease.

In recent years, the athletics world has been stepping up its efforts to join in the fight against breast cancer as well. Possibly no sport has been more active in this movement than volleyball, with high school and college programs across the country holding various events to raise awareness.

Indiana Wesleyan University volleyball did its part on Friday night when the team hosted its third annual Dig Pink match. Many fans came out for the event dressed appropriately in pink, as did the players and coaches. Even the game officials got into the action with matching whistles.

A local organization had tables set up at the game with information about breast cancer and how to receive a free mammogram. The event raised money for the Marion Cancer Center.

On a national level, organizations like the NFL are raising awareness by letting their players sport pink in creative ways. Facebook friends of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco have been treated to an in-depth look at his October wardrobe, which includes pink gloves, cleats, a mouthpiece and chinstrap.

It’s no small wonder that so much is being done in support of this fight. Breast cancer affects countless lives and families every year. The IWU volleyball team is no exception.

Shortly before the team held its first Dig Pink night in 2008, coach Candace Moats’ mother Henrietta passed away after her battle with cancer. Needless to say, this event meant a lot to Moats and her family.

“Every time it reminds me that I’m doing something to honor my mom and trying to help with the cause,” Moats said. “I really love it, being able to help the Marion Cancer Center and a community service in our area; it just feels like we’re doing our part.”

Lauryn Barfell, a junior for the Wildcats, has lost four family members to breast cancer, and appreciates the efforts being made to raise awareness.

“Breast cancer is something that affects a lot of women, and for people to come and recognize and support that is a huge deal,” Barfell said. “I never got to meet any of the women in my family who died from that, but I think that’s why it means so much to me that the student body and alumni are willing to come and support that.”

The Wildcats won the Dig Pink match against Bethel 3-1, and after the game coach Moats did her interviews with red eyes. It had been an emotional night, as always, she said. But it was a good night.

“Tonight was special,” Moats said. “To be able to go out there and stay strong, that was our goal.” Moats called her father before the game. “Dad, mom’s going to be in the stands tonight,” she told him.

Moats said his response was simple: “I know; she’s going to be proud.”

As for everyone, there was certainly a lot of which to be proud.

For Indiana Wesleyan University head volleyball coach Candace Moats, this season has posed one of her greatest challenges. Not only is it preparing for a tough road schedule or scheming against tough oppenents, but trying to tell the difference between two of her own freshman players, twin sisters Rae and Rebecca Brandes.

“I have had a horrible time trying to tell them apart,” Moats said. “My players think it’s really funny because I’m the only one struggling with it, no one else on the team is.”

It’s not as difficult as it was at the beginning of the season for the Wildcat’s coach. “The more I’ve been with them now, it’s getting easier for me,” she said. “I’ve been able to tell them apart because of their separate positions, but if I were to come across them walking the hallways, I may have to get up close.”

Rae and Rebecca have had plenty of experience with coaches trying to discern them. The twins have been playing volleyball together since seventh grade, and both also participated in basketball, softball and soccer before coming to IWU. The most notable difference they can give is a scar on elder sister Rae’s forehead, which she has had since age two.

“I guess God just wanted to make it that people could tell us apart.” Rae said.

Competing together for so long as twins has its perks.

“We play off each other’s strengths and weaknesses very well,” Rebecca said.

“As players and in academics as well, it makes you work harder,” said Rae. “I wouldn’t say you’re trying to outdo the other one, it’s the good kind of competition.”

After all of that time spent with each other at a small high school (graduated with 14 in their class), college was a time to separate a bit. The two have different majors. Rae is in athletic training, while Rebecca is double majoring in elementary Education and special Education. Both are staying in Martin Hall, but on different floors.

“When we were younger, a lot of people clumped us together, and we didn’t like it, so that was very intentional,” Rebecca said.

While some twins might get tired of each other, the Brandes’ have stayed close throughout their transition to college.

“They enjoy each other,” said Moats. “Even though they maintain their separateness, I think they have enjoyed being together. I’m happy that they’re both here.”

Although they might not of hailed from a large high school, Moats is certainly happy to have both sisters on the roster this year.

“They are incredibly talented and very athletic,” Moats said. “Already, they’re making big marks on the team, and they love the Lord. They’re just a perfect fit here.”

According to the sisters, the key to their relationship and success as a pair isn’t some kind of psychic twin connection, but that unique bond they have shared since birth.

“It’s because you’re together so much that you have the same memories and the same things get triggered,” Rae said.

You can expect great chemistry from these two on and off the court for years to come.

“When we’re on the same Catchphrase team, we kill,” Rebecca said.