Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Cris Tiller
BOM Squad, Preparing the No. 14 Rams for Success
10/18/2019 6:21:00 PM | Volleyball
BOM Squad = Babes On a Mission
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – On most teams, they are called reserves. At Colorado State, the non-starters are simply referred to as "Babes on a Mission," or B.O.M. Squad.
Every practice, Jacqi Van Liefde, Ellie Gubser, Jenna Heinemeyer and sometimes up to five other players are tasked with becoming a player from an upcoming team. They're asked to mimic certain types of shots, moves and even recreating trash talk.
They're also the lifeblood for head coach Tom Hilbert's dynasty – one that's made the NCAA Tournament in all 22-plus seasons that he's been at the helm.
"It's a huge aspect of why we've been so successful as a program," assistant coach Adrianna Culbert said. "We spend a lot of time prepping for teams and making sure that we have a scouting report that we think is going to be beneficial and that we really capitalize on that in practice. Having girls that can come and mimic what other teams are doing is really important.
"I look back to when I played, there were many years when we weren't necessarily the most physical team, but it was the fact that we were going to prepare better than anybody else."
The B.O.M squad has been operating since 2002. Players created the practice team, gave it a name and it's lived on ever since.
Once intensity from the reserves became the norm, it also became an expectation. Even in recruiting pitches, it's a topic of discussion.
"The conversation, really, is to the whole team, at some point, about how important it is when we prepare that the second side pushes the first side and that they keep their energy level up," Hilbert said. "That creates competitiveness in practice that raises everybody."
Each day, the group heads into film and tweaks their own game to model someone else's. Many times, they're actually molding to a style of play foreign to them.
Each player, including the "gold squad," carries a notecard. On it are notes, tips and assignments that are based off the nearest opponent. That piece of paper also gives a unique opportunity for the reserves to visualize an area of focus.
"If we're not already the best at a skill, or we're not confident in whatever it is, like maybe roll shots that this one player does, it's awesome, because then we get to work on the things that we're not great at," Van Liefde said. "We are forced to improve in those areas."
Breana Runnels was on the B.O.M squad. So was Kirstie Hillyer. The biggest stars of the current-day, No. 14 Rams were all proud members.
The biggest part of keeping things lively is the constant pressure placed on those starters. Even if a player begins the year as part of the B.O.M squad, they have the ability to overtake an everyday player.
"One of the examples was Jasmine Hanna in her freshman year," Hilbert said. "We were going to redshirt her, and she was just killing it over there. We made the decision the day before our first match not to do it. There are tons of examples of it. We've had different players over the years that have been so good over there that they've become starters."
Not every part of grinding in practice and sitting on gameday is easy. In fact, many times, it is difficult, especially for the players who were the stars of their pre-collegiate teams.
"I'd say it's humbling. When you're with 14 of the best athletes in the gym and you're not used to being around all the best, you're used to being the best – it's a shock," Heinemeyer said.
"I would say it's definitely a bit of an emotional challenge," Gubser added.
When each girl that doesn't see the court is able to celebrate a match point with the starters, it's once again worth the work. All of the grinding that's done behind the scenes is in the limelight, even if each player isn't.
"I'm getting the opportunity to play against the No. 14 ranked team in the nation," Gubser said. "I can't think of a better training program."
Every practice, Jacqi Van Liefde, Ellie Gubser, Jenna Heinemeyer and sometimes up to five other players are tasked with becoming a player from an upcoming team. They're asked to mimic certain types of shots, moves and even recreating trash talk.
They're also the lifeblood for head coach Tom Hilbert's dynasty – one that's made the NCAA Tournament in all 22-plus seasons that he's been at the helm.
"It's a huge aspect of why we've been so successful as a program," assistant coach Adrianna Culbert said. "We spend a lot of time prepping for teams and making sure that we have a scouting report that we think is going to be beneficial and that we really capitalize on that in practice. Having girls that can come and mimic what other teams are doing is really important.
"I look back to when I played, there were many years when we weren't necessarily the most physical team, but it was the fact that we were going to prepare better than anybody else."
The B.O.M squad has been operating since 2002. Players created the practice team, gave it a name and it's lived on ever since.
Once intensity from the reserves became the norm, it also became an expectation. Even in recruiting pitches, it's a topic of discussion.
"The conversation, really, is to the whole team, at some point, about how important it is when we prepare that the second side pushes the first side and that they keep their energy level up," Hilbert said. "That creates competitiveness in practice that raises everybody."
Each day, the group heads into film and tweaks their own game to model someone else's. Many times, they're actually molding to a style of play foreign to them.
Each player, including the "gold squad," carries a notecard. On it are notes, tips and assignments that are based off the nearest opponent. That piece of paper also gives a unique opportunity for the reserves to visualize an area of focus.
"If we're not already the best at a skill, or we're not confident in whatever it is, like maybe roll shots that this one player does, it's awesome, because then we get to work on the things that we're not great at," Van Liefde said. "We are forced to improve in those areas."
Breana Runnels was on the B.O.M squad. So was Kirstie Hillyer. The biggest stars of the current-day, No. 14 Rams were all proud members.
The biggest part of keeping things lively is the constant pressure placed on those starters. Even if a player begins the year as part of the B.O.M squad, they have the ability to overtake an everyday player.
"One of the examples was Jasmine Hanna in her freshman year," Hilbert said. "We were going to redshirt her, and she was just killing it over there. We made the decision the day before our first match not to do it. There are tons of examples of it. We've had different players over the years that have been so good over there that they've become starters."
Not every part of grinding in practice and sitting on gameday is easy. In fact, many times, it is difficult, especially for the players who were the stars of their pre-collegiate teams.
"I'd say it's humbling. When you're with 14 of the best athletes in the gym and you're not used to being around all the best, you're used to being the best – it's a shock," Heinemeyer said.
"I would say it's definitely a bit of an emotional challenge," Gubser added.
When each girl that doesn't see the court is able to celebrate a match point with the starters, it's once again worth the work. All of the grinding that's done behind the scenes is in the limelight, even if each player isn't.
"I'm getting the opportunity to play against the No. 14 ranked team in the nation," Gubser said. "I can't think of a better training program."
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