Monday and Tuesday nights at 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. are kicked off with intramural volleyball, where students come together to connect, compete and just have fun. From the coordinators setting everything up, to the referees keeping it fair, to the players hitting the court, everyone plays a part in what makes intramural volleyball one of Concordia’s favorite traditions.

Ryder Natzic, a senior Business Marketing major, helps keep Concordia’s intramural volleyball program running each week. “For students playing volleyball, our biggest goal is building relationships with other students, having fun and unwinding from the stresses of school,” Natzic said.

Planning each season takes a lot of time. “We table outside the caf, nag students to play, and coordinate sponsorships for the championship games, which takes weeks to close a deal. Then we put in hours putting teams together and assigning players. It’s like we’re NFL general managers.” He added, “IMLeagues, our league interface, is awesome. It keeps all the stats, schedule and teams in one place.”

Natzic said making sure everyone feels welcome is a big part of it. “Students play intramurals not only to have fun but also to be connected to Concordia,” he said. “When forming teams, we try to make sure all are welcoming, even to those who haven’t played before.”

He also makes sure the refs have what they need to succeed. “When hiring refs, we had three main criteria: ball knowledge, confidence and vibes,” Natzic said. “We coordinators do our best to answer questions, but at the end of the day, we have full faith in them.”

Getting more students involved has been a big focus this year. “For volleyball, we got SLUNKS, an outdoor volleyball brand, to sponsor our championship game, which is so rad,” he said. “They even have a special gift for the winners. Stuff like this helps make students realize this is cool and fun, and we want them to feel like they missed out if they don’t play.”

When issues come up, Natzic said they handle them quickly. “We haven’t had any problems and don’t plan on having any,” he said. “Mixups are bound to happen, but that teaches you how to adapt and figure it out.”

Emma Agronovitz, a senior Liberal Studies major in Christ College, found a way to stay involved by becoming a referee. “I have enjoyed playing intramural sports for three years now, and I wanted to be a part of the team that makes it happen,” Agronovitz said.

Fairness is what she focuses on most. “The rules we have for games are a huge help in monitoring skill levels, and each team rotates who they play each week, which helps balance things out,” she said.

She added that the fun atmosphere makes the job worth it. “It’s naturally a fun environment when the teams are enjoying themselves,” Agronovitz said. “Just laughing with them through the silly falls and keeping a positive attitude helps.”

But sometimes games can get tense. “At one of the games, there was a player who ran into the net while hitting the ball,” she said. “Net calls always have some controversy with the higher-skilled players. We called an official timeout so the refs could discuss the call. Some players were upset and voiced opinions. Sometimes you have to remind them that it’s intramural volleyball and the main goal is to have fun.”

When players question a call, she keeps her cool. “I use the rules and explain them in as much detail as I can,” Agronovitz said. “Most times it’s just a misunderstanding that’s settled quickly.”

She said refereeing has taught her a lot. “It’s a great way to learn how to deal with all types of people in stressful and calm situations,” she said. “It’s helped me feel comfortable making mistakes and more confident in my decisions.”

Kylie Glover, a junior Kinesiology major, became team captain by accident. “I didn’t really wanna be captain, but I had to make the team on IMLeagues, and it made me captain,” Glover said. “I really wanted to play intramural volleyball to stay busy.”

She keeps her team organized with simple communication. “We have a group chat, and that’s where I share all the times and make sure everyone knows when games are,” she said.

When teammates get frustrated, Glover helps them reset. “I tell everyone to take a deep breath and lock in,” she said. “We all get along really well, and communication is key.”

Her favorite part is spending time with her team. “Being able to hang out with my teammates and play volleyball and know that it’s not that serious,” Glover said.

Drew Curren, a junior majoring in Psychology, joined the intramural volleyball team for the community. “I decided to play intramural volleyball at Concordia because some of my lacrosse teammates made a team, and it’s a fun way to meet new people,” Curren said.

He added that the atmosphere makes it special. “The team environment and intramural community is very fun,” he said. “Whether it’s competing during a game or seeing others around campus, it’s always a good atmosphere.”

Even late-night games have their perks. “The games are late, which can be tough, but it gives us something to look forward to,” Curren said. “Plus, it doesn’t conflict with my schedule.”

Curren’s favorite part is meeting new people. “What I enjoy most about playing intramural volleyball here is the opportunity to meet and connect with new people through a competitive environment.”

Looking to next season, he hopes more teams join. “The more teams that play, the more competition and variety there will be.” Curren added that his team has had both good moments and tough ones. “The biggest highlight has been our outside team practices; we’ve made a lot of progress,” he said. “The biggest challenge has been winning a set. We haven’t yet, but when we do, it’s going to be awesome.”

From the coordinators to the players, intramural volleyball at Concordia Irvine is built on teamwork, energy and connection. Everyone contributes to creating a space where competition and community come together.

Tags: intramurals

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