Oakland University’s intramural volleyball scene is heating up, providing students with a chance to unwind, bond and showcase their skills, regardless of their previous experience on the court.
“I decided to join on a whim even though I had never played before,” freshman Evan Guilloz said. “During the summer, I played in a tournament in Port Huron and knew I wanted to try intramural in college. The atmosphere is unmatched, and I really enjoy playing.”
Intramural sports offer a low-commitment, high-reward experience for students like junior Jeremy Matzinger, who appreciates the balance it brings to campus life.
“The most rewarding aspect is just being able to play sports with friends or others my age,” team captain Matzinger said. “Intramural doesn’t take much time to commit to, so it’s not very challenging balancing that with academics.”
With a focus on camaraderie and the chance to enjoy sports in a low-pressure environment, Oakland’s intramural volleyball program continues to contribute positively to campus life. For those who don’t make the varsity team or are new to the sport, it’s the perfect way to stay active, make friends and engage with the student community.
“I did lacrosse and wrestling in high school, so I never had time for volleyball,” Guilloz said. “Having the opportunity now that I have more time is super cool. It’s a great way to make friends and connect yourself on campus.”
Teamwork is at the heart of intramural volleyball, as each player depends on their teammates to execute plays and maintain communication throughout the game. With volleyball’s fast pace and reliance on passing, setting and spiking, no single player can dominate the match.
“As far as strategies and skills, I’m just having our team work on using all three of our hits and trying to always set someone up for a spike,” Matzinger said. “Teamwork plays a big role in volleyball, as each one of us has to trust our teammates to do their part, we can’t just have one or two people do everything.”
The dynamic of being on a team fosters a sense of unity and strengthens bonds between teammates, even in a recreational setting, as each person contributes to the overall strategy.
“I think intramural sports contribute a lot to campus life,” Matzinger said. “It allows us that aren’t as good to make the team just being able to play with others from our student body. My goal is just having fun and winning as much as we can while keeping a good attitude. I’m not the biggest volleyball guy so I don’t get worked up over losing.”
Joining a team offers a chance to meet new people from different majors and backgrounds, fostering friendships that extend beyond the court. The shared experience of working toward a common goal helps break down barriers and creates bonds that last.
“Intramural volleyball has been a great way to meet new people and form friendships I probably wouldn’t have made otherwise,” Guilloz said. “We all come from different backgrounds, but being on the same team has brought us together.”
