Editor's Note:  This is the most recent piece in a series of stories shared by Gorillas to Gorillas as we all embark upon this new "season" in our lives. These certainly are unprecedented times, for young and old alike. Our hope is for Gorilla student-athletes, past and present, coaches and members of Gorilla Nation to read these pieces, awaken their Gorilla memories and then compose their own story to share with us. There is strength in numbers.
 
The past eight weeks have been to say the very least, uncertain.
 
As the volleyball coach at Pittsburg State, I've tried to help my players and coaching staff navigate this uncertainty. And, through this, I think we have seen growth, achievement, and success.  Maybe not necessarily the "normal" way that coaches and athletes measure success (wins, championships, competition), but success in other ways. We have seen our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and staff adapt, succeed and do what is expected.  I feel that we have exceeded above and beyond considering the circumstances.
 
Volleyball isn't a spring sport. However, the spring semester is where we as coaches and players get to see the most growth individually. Players are in weight room more often (5 a.m. three or four times a week to be exact) and are trying to build the best base of strength and agility that they can before they leave for the summer.
 
We work out in individual groups. Players get more one on one attention and in small groups or position specific groups we break down the skills to its basic form and build on that technique.
 
Then we get to hold team practices and have four competition dates – one of which being our home spring tournament that features over 14 junior college and four-year college teams. During that phase we get to see the players put into action all the skill and technique training they learned and perfected during individuals in order to help our team compete at a higher level.
 
I start to see my freshman understand and embrace the system with more confidence.   They learn that they truly aren't "freshman" anymore as there will be a new group coming up in a few months that will be eager to compete and play. I love to see that "switch flip on" in my young players. I also love to watch the leaders emerge and set the tone for the team.
 
We spend time talking with our players about the standards of our program, the expectations of a Gorilla volleyball player, and that our team will only go as far as they are willing to take us. I absolutely love seeing the spark in the players who decide that they are going to lead this team. They have renewed passion, energy, and they willingly share that and expect it from the rest of the team. I love watching these young women develop into the leaders of our future. Regardless of their chosen path, I know that they will leave Pitt State and make a difference in the world. 
 
Yet, this spring was different. We had our individuals from January to beginning of March.  It went great! I saw improvement in each and every player. My outside hitters improved their blocking and their attacking mechanics. My middles were so fast on their transitions to attack. The right sides were beasts at blocking. The setters were much more focused and competent running the offense and improved their footwork in order to put our hitters in positions to score. My libero/DS were passing nails (this means their serve receive passing was amazing)! And our energy as a team was palpable. To say that I was excited for the four spring competitions was an understatement.
 
We were able to have two team practices under our belt and then COVID-19 hit us. The team and coaches were sent home for an uncertain amount of time. We didn't know when or if we would return to campus this semester. Time seemed to pass with even greater uncertainty. However, through that I saw my players and coaches still succeeding. My team has a Group Me app and every day they were posting pictures of themselves working out.  They were holding each other accountable just by taking pictures of themselves working out, playing volleyball at home with parents/siblings, or against the garage or side of the house.
 
The proud momma moment for me in this was that they were doing this all on their own and because they cared. They challenged each other and still were "competing." They cared about representing Pitt State in a respectable manner. They continued to run, lift weights without someone there making them do it (sometimes with homemade weights).
 
My team adapted to online classes. Granted, some of the student-athletes had already been taking online classes, but for some it is still an adjustment, especially for those who are used to in person classes and learning environments. With their last grade check, I saw all A's and B's with only three C's (which were in Microbiology). I'm confident that our players will complete the semester with outstanding grades. I have at least five of my players that carry a current 4.0 GPA and they expect to continue that. Our team is on track to maintain our team academic standard that we set of above a 3.0 GPA. That is success!
 
I witnessed more instances of success. We met as a team using Zoom meetings. If you know me at all you know that I struggle with technology so I count this as a success! We as a coaching staff continue to recruit for the 2021 class and secure commitments all without having recruits visit campus in person. We use virtual tours and other forms of communication and hopefully they are able to attend camps over the summer. It is with great pride that my lone senior on the team this year (one of my first recruits when I arrived at Pitt State) will graduate from the Nursing School in four years (and I believe with all A's)! She also has a job waiting on her. That is success!
 
While these have definitely been trying times, we have still been able to witness, experience, and achieve success. I've watched my own kids at home learn, grow and rise to the challenges presented by our current situation. I also have a renewed and deepened appreciation for my children's teachers as I'm not a very good substitute teacher or facilitator of preschool or third grade. I'm watching my children succeed at home as six- and nine-year old's and it's been wonderful. They navigate this experience and technology like little professionals. I'm thankful for the time I've had at home with my family, even though I miss my players every day. It's been a blessing to have meal times together every day, play catch, go fishing, watch movies together more often, play games with the kids, and we aren't rushing around to get to practices or meetings.
 
I feel so bad for the student-athletes that didn't get the opportunity to complete their season of competition. I hurt for my fellow coaches who put in their time and effort just to see it be taken away. However, we are all in this together and we love and support one another. That's what Gorillas do. There are so many moments of success that we can take away from this experience.
 
Spring 2020 will always be memorable for me and I'm choosing to remember all the successes that I witnessed, and for that, I'm thankful. OAGAAG.
 
Jen Gomez
 
Jen Gomez is entering his fifth year as head volleyball coach at Pittsburg State University. She has a 247-212 overall record in 14 years as a collegiate head coach including stints at Colorado State University-Pueblo and Oklahoma City University. Jen and her husband, Chanc, have four children:  Micah, 9, Ryder, 6, and twins, Kash and Colt, who turn two on Aug. 17.
 
Please share your own personal stories/thoughts via email to dwilkes@pittstate.edu. We want to share them! (PSU Athletics reserves the right to edit content for space and appropriateness. We cannot promise to publish every submission, but we will do our best.) Thanks Gorilla Nation!

Through the Eyes of a Gorilla Archives
Vol. I - Dan Wilkes, Associate AD/Communications (Apr. 3)
Vol. II - Levi Wyrick, Football/Track & Field Athlete (Apr. 7)
Vol. III - Amanda Davied, Women's Basketball Coach (Apr. 10)
Vol. IV - Chris Hanna, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 13)
Vol. V - Jeff Moreland, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 15)
Vol. VI - Emily Hanenberg, Volleyball Athlete (Apr. 17)
Vol. VII - Ashley Balazs, Softball Coach (Apr. 20)
Vol. VIII - Peter Euler, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (Apr. 22)
Vol. IX - Caitlin Demarest, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (Apr. 24)
Vol. X - Tyson Cushman, Baseball Athlete (Apr. 27)
Vol. XI - Oscar Gonzalez, PSU Alum/Men's Basketball Athlete (Apr. 29)
Vol. XII - Russ Jewett, Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (May 1)
Vol. XIII - Ronald Moore, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 4)
Vol. XIV - Emily Regier, Volleyball Athlete (May 6)
Vol. XV - Wendi (Rickson) Horak, PSU Alum/Softball Athlete (May 8)
Vol. XVI - Josh Lattimer, PSU Alum/Football Coach (May 11)
Vol. XVII - Brad Buckley, PSU Alum/Baseball Coach (May 13)
Vol. XVIII - Piper Misse, Cross Country/Track & Field Athlete (May 15)
Vol. XVIV - Alexa (Bordewick) Dreiling, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (May 18)