ROBILLARD ‘DIGS’ HER WAY TO BSU VOLLEYBALL MILESTONE
By Emily Hayes
Staff Writer
The Bridgewater State University women’s volleyball team has been a team of young, but motivated players for the last several years. This year, they have six seniors who are about to leave Bridgewater State’s volleyball program at the end of this season. One of those players is senior libero Kristen Robillard.
Robillard joined the Lady Bears three seasons ago, after transferring from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. In her time here, Robillard is a two-time captain, member of the MASCAC All-First Team, and reached the 1,000 dig mark earlier this season. By reaching the milestone, Robillard became the sixth person in program history to reach that mark.
“My goal is to finish with most career digs,” said Robillard. “I still need like five hundred more. I’m still reaching for it. But if I can’t do that, I just want to move up the ladder from sixth most.”
When Robillard broke the record, she didn’t know it at the time. She had been too focused on playing. It wasn’t until her coach called a timeout and a friend told her that she realized what she had done.
“That was huge. I was so excited,” said Robillard. “My teammates were awesome too because they knew that I only needed a certain amount more so they were counting down for me.”
When Robillard first arrived at BSU as a sophomore, she made quite a first impression on assistant coach Denise Hamilton.
“She was a real cracker jack,” said Hamilton. “She moved quickly, she was smart about her play. She was young, but really committed to the sport, loved the sport, wanted to be on the court all the time and wanted the ball in her hands all the time.”
Robillard went on to become captain in both her junior and senior years and her leadership on and off the court has the team striving to win the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference title this season.
Robillard has shown to be the kind of player one can depend on. She has helped shape the team over the years through her leadership.
“She knows what everyone’s role and responsibility is on the court and she knows what her responsibilities are on the court,” Hamilton said. “She helps everyone achieve those responsibilities.”
When Kristen graduates this year, she will be leaving part of her life behind.
“It’s kind of not an option for me to leave volleyball,” said Robillard. “Because it’s sort of something I grew up with. It’s something I’ve met so many people through and had so many experiences with. I can’t say I’d miss anything specifically because it’s everything.”
When the season is over, Robillard is going to be leaving BSU with five other seniors. But she will remain on in Bridgewater State history as one of the few players to reach the 1,000 dig mark.
Emily Hayes is a Comment sports writer. Email her at e4hayes@student.bridgew.edu.
