Jessica Gieselman had one of the most decorated playing careers of anyone ever in Stevenson women’s volleyball. She was the first ever All-American in program history, she helped the program to four straight NCAA tournament appearances and she still holds several of the program’s all-time records, including assists (4,674). Her 11.57 digs per set in 2013 remains eighth all-time in Division III sports.
Having returned to the program in 2019 as an assistant coach, a role that she has maintained since then, her accomplishments were recognized this past weekend as she was inducted into the Stevenson University Athletics Hall of Fame. She was inducted both individually and as a member of the 2013 team that went undefeated in conference and ranked No. 19 in the NCAA rankings. Her former coaching partner, former head coach Dave Trumbo, and her former teammate, Samantha (Lewis) Perillo, were also inducted on October 19.
The Stevenson Villager had the chance to interview Gieselman over email ahead of the ceremony. She reflected on her playing career, her decision to try coaching at her alma mater and how she feels about becoming a Stevenson Hall of Famer.
Grant DeVivo: Can you talk about how you started with volleyball when you were young and your prior playing experience before SU? When did you realize that you had a passion for the sport and that you wanted to pursue it further and more seriously?
Jessica Gieselman: My very first experiences with volleyball were when I first started going to my parents’ club practices when I was four and five years old and started learning some skills there. I started playing volleyball competitively on a club team when I was 10 years old and continued up until college. I also played on varsity on my high school team. I knew I had a passion for volleyball at a very young age when I went to my parents’ club practices as well as when they would take me to adult tournaments they played in together. I was born into volleyball and knew that it was the main sport I wanted to play growing up.
GD: How did you discover Stevenson University? What attracted you to the college that you decided that you wanted to both (a) go to school there and (b) play volleyball there?
JG: I discovered Stevenson through Coach Trumbo because he was coaching there part-time when I played club for him my 18’s club season. I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I knew that Stevenson had a great education department. I have always known I would play volleyball in college it was just a matter of what college. Stevenson gave me the opportunity to play volleyball and study a field that I was extremely interested in.
GD: During your senior year, you were a part of potentially the most accomplished women’s volleyball team in school history. That year, you all set a franchise record 37 wins, ranked No. 19 in the NCAA rankings, went undefeated in conference (9-0), and made it to the NCAA tournament. Of course, the entire team is going into the Hall of Fame this weekend as well. Can you talk a little bit about what exactly went right for you all that season? What do you think contributed to such a successful and historic season?
JG: That team was extremely special, and we had a lot of talented players. We were a small team of only 15 players and that helped build that trust and connection with each other. We all believed in each other and the players that didn’t get to play much still showed up and did their job to help us get better. They also supported us and cheered us on even though they didn’t get much court time. They were selfless not selfish.
GD: That 3-2 series upset win over No. 8 Juniata is still a huge moment in program history. Can you talk a little about winning that game, where it stands in your most memorable moments and how it sent a message to the league as to who you all were as a program and a force in the league then?
JG: That was an incredible game! We were such underdogs playing the host school who was also ranked way above us. Without the support of each other we wouldn’t have won that game. That win has been the furthest we have gotten in the NCAA tournament and the furthest in program history. It was an extremely memorable game for me, and I still remember it to this day.
GD: You, yourself, had a career for the ages. 4,674 assists (all-time leader), 11.57 assist per set (8th all time in DIII), 3x All-American, and 2x MAC Commonwealth Player of the Year. What/who do you credit for all of this success?
JG: First and foremost, I credit my teammates for these successes because without them I wouldn’t have gotten all these honors. I can be a great player on my own, but you get nothing without your teammates. Volleyball is a team sport, and you can’t do it without your team.
GD: When it is all said and done, how do you hope your career can set an example for the next generation of Mustangs?
JG: I think my career has set an example for all the future Mustangs, especially the ones that came right after me. I was the first All-American in program history and I believe lots of players after me strived to be an All-American as well.
GD: What are some important lessons and/or takeaways from your playing career?
JG: Getting along with your teammates, working hard, not giving up. All of these things are crucial for being successful and achieving what you want to. These also apply to everyday life.
GD: What led you to decide giving coaching a try? What specifically made you decide that you wanted to return to coach at Stevenson in 2019?
JG: Coaching for me is like teaching, which is what my career is in. I always thought coaching would give me some good skills that I could also apply in teaching. I also knew I wanted to be involved with the sport in college and when I graduated from college. I coached club while I was in college and even after. I was helping Coach Trumbo with his summer camp and talked to him about being a volunteer coach. He gladly welcomed me, and things worked out later on that I became the assistant coach and still am today.
GD: You’ve seen a ton happen within the WVB program. How special is it for you to have seen this program grow and evolve the way it has? How special does it feel yourself to still be here at your alma mater?
JG: I’m proud of the teams and players after me that have continued the legacy that was started by my teammates and I back in 2011. When you start something that people want to be a part of then it makes it easier to get good players in the door and on the team. It has been great being back coaching at my alma mater. It has really come full circle for me because I started by playing for Coach Trumbo and then got to coach with him.
GD: Shifting gears to the Hall of Fame, do you remember how you found out about getting selected into the Hall of Fame? What emotions went through your mind when you found out?
JG: I can’t say I was extremely surprised to get in but just very grateful. I am a humble person, so I don’t like to flaunt getting inducted but more share and talk about what I did to get these honors. I hope others are inspired by what I have accomplished.
GD: What are you most looking forward to this week/weekend ahead of your induction? Does it still seem “surreal,” for lack of better words, that you’re going in?
JG: I’m really looking forward to celebrating with my family and teammates that are also being inducted. We deserve this honor and recognition because of what we provided for future athletes at the university. I wouldn’t say it’s “surreal” because I expected to be an athlete that would get into the Hall of Fame after everything, I accomplished both on and off the court.
GD: You, yourself, are going in, but also that entire 2013 team. How special is that for you all? The fact that the entire team is being recognized with such a prestigious honor of the SU Athletics Hall of Fame.
JG: The 2013 team deserves the world for the sport of volleyball at Stevenson. We have accomplished what no other volleyball team has at the university. It speaks true measures to the kind of team and people we were. I’m very proud of all of us!
GD: You are going in with former head coach Dave Trumbo, who is going in as a contributor to the 2013 team but has one of the most successful resumes of any SU head coach all time. How much of a role has he played in your time at SU from playing to coaching to even outside of the game? What does it mean to you that you are going into the hall with him?
JG: I have known Coach Trumbo for over 15 years now. He has been an amazing coach and just someone I could go to and talk to about volleyball. I am very excited that he is going in as a contributor at the same time I am going in. He deserves it and has been the backbone of the program for so long. My teammate Sammy Lewis (Perillo) is also going in with me and she is one of the best liberos the program has seen. She also deserves this honor, and I am so excited that we get to be inducted in together.
GD: How do you think all of this recognition for you, Trumbo, and the 2013 team will impact SU Women’s Volleyball’s reputation for the better in the coming years? Whether it be for current players, recruiting, etc.
JG: I really hope this has a lasting impact on the program and shows the athletes on the team now that they can also get honors just like I did. It takes hard work and dedication to earn these things, but it also takes the support of your teammates to help you achieve great things.
