Faith guides Guetterman to her next volleyball destination — Sioux Falls

Louisburg senior Davis Guetterman is looking forward to her next stop as a member of the University of Sioux Falls volleyball team.

Davis Guetterman always had faith that everything would work out when it came to volleyball.

The Louisburg senior had always wanted to play college volleyball, but going through the recruiting process had its worries and challenges at times. Through it all, it was Guetterman’s faith in God that helped lead her to her future desitnation.

After some different options, one become abundantly clear that she was going to call home for the next few years.

At a signing ceremony on Dec. 8 at Louisburg High School, Guetterman made it official as she signed her letter of intent to play at the University of Sioux Falls, a Division II program in Sioux Falls, S.D.

“Any interview or recruitment is a learning journey,” Guetterman said. “God had in mind that USF was the right place for me and it was for me to find that out. Obviously with COVID it was more challenging to connect with college coaches, but Sioux Falls had an immediate interest in my passion for the game. Previous coaches and my parents have always told me that skill can vary from day to day, but effort is completely controllable. That has stuck with me in any game or practice I have been in. 

“I knew USF was right for me when I got to meet all of the players and coaches on my visit. I also loved that the college was a Christian university and I could grow in my faith as well as my athletic and academic skill. I plan to study biology and chemistry at USF with the intent of going to medical school afterward.”

Guetterman shared the setting duties at Louisburg with teammate Corinna McMullen as both were the starting setters for the last four years in the Lady Cats’ 6-2 offense.

Moving up to the collegiate ranks, Guetterman knew she wanted to grow in that position and she found the person to help her do that in USF head coach Dan Mathews.

“The only setters on the roster for the 2022 season are freshmen,” Guetterman said. “Other teams might see this as a downfall, but I think it shows how much trust and respect that Coach Mathews has in the athletes he has recruited. I am also very excited that Coach Mathews was a Division 1 men’s setter and has extreme experience in the position. 

“The freshmen will report in early summer and I intend to compete for the starting setting spot the day that I step on campus. I predict that multiple setters will have the chance to play because of the high level that USF plays at and the necessity for height and attackers in the front row.”

Guetterman had a lot of success for the Lady Cats as she helped Louisburg to two state tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish as a freshman and a fourth place finish as a sophomore.

This past season, Guetterman was an All-Frontier League selection as she played all six rotations, along with her setter duties.

The Louisburg senior led the team with 436 assists and a team-high 58 aces. She also added 184 digs and had 146 kills.

She hopes to take the experience she had in Louisburg and grow to an even better player at USF.

“My goals are to grow the USF program and create relationships at the highest level of Division 2 competition in the country,” Guetterman said. “USF has consistently been ranked in the middle of the NSIC conference; however, with the instruction of new Head Coach Dan Mathews and his vision for the program, I envision large strides for the team. 

“The University of Sioux Falls has the facilities, the coaches, and the recruited athletes to be a NCAA D2 tournament contender. This year the team beat three ranked opponents, giving great insight to the type of play that USF is capable of.”

Playing collegiate volleyball is something Guetterman has always strived for, but there were always doubts at different times in her life. Still, she never lost sight of her goals.

“I wanted to play college volleyball since middle school,” Guetterman said. “My club volleyball team, PVA, strongly encouraged us to reach out to college coaches whether we desired to play or not. Since I was so young I hadn’t really considered playing, but once coaches started contacting me I realized it could become reality. When I was younger I dreamed of playing on the big stage, but never really thought I would get the chance.”

Guetterman is getting the chance she has always wanted and she has the Louisburg volleyball program to thank for that. It is where her love for the sport began.

“Volleyball has been a part of my life since I was in the third grade,” Guetterman said. “I have all of the Louisburg volleyball alumni to thank for the love of the game that I found. I remember in elementary school I was that nerd who found the volleyball schedule in the newspaper, cut it out and taped it in my school binder. 

“I envied to be like those girls and I eventually got the opportunity to carry on the winning tradition. I have been able to establish and volunteer at youth volleyball camps, where I hope I am instilling this love of the game for the girls in the Louisburg community.”

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