Borum Leaves Her Mark with Women’s Volleyball

Fourth-year setter Bree Borum was named Atlantic 10 Setter of the Year for the past two seasons. Since then, she has been a consistent member of the A10’s first team all-conference in consecutive seasons with Loyola.

Borum has the same mindset and goals for herself her coaches have for her. 

“My last year at Loyola, as a whole team standpoint, is to make NCAA’s and win A10’s,” Borum said. “Overall, for me personally my goal is to go out with a bang and have an impact on the program since it had such a big impact on me.” 

Borum said being named A10 Setter of the Year is not just about her, but about how her teammates set her up to perform. She said it’s her hitters and passers who make her look good, along with her coaches who push her to work hard every day. 

Borum transferred to Loyola after her first-year where she played at Florida Gulf Coast University. She said coming to Loyola from her previous program was a complete 180. At Loyola, Borum said, people care about players as individuals on-and-off the court. Borum also felt she has made best friends for life.

Borum was named captain this season and has already taken on a larger leadership role as a result. Berkley said Borum is an overall great player and said when the team looks at her to make big plays, she delivers.

Since the team has a growing number of 10 undergraduates, Borum explained it is useful for her to have the ability to answer questions and provide for the team when new situations arise. 

“I think just being someone who’s been here along with Esma [Ajanovic], we know how it goes, we know what the coaches need,” Borum said. “It’s nice to be able to help people out when they have questions.” 

Berkley said if the team needs to get a kill, she will find a way. Borum remains a threat at the net, having tallied 71 kills so far this season. Along with her offense, Borum has also racked up 135 digs and 425 assists.

“You will never see her taking a play off and she goes for everything,” Berkley said. “And so, it’s pretty huge to have someone like her who just gives 100% every play.”

Borum originally got into volleyball through her family, with her mother and two older siblings all having collegiate volleyball experience. She became a setter after watching her older sister, who she said was one of her biggest inspirations. 

“My mom played volleyball in college and taught my dad, and then my two older sisters, who both played collegiate volleyball, so watching them play was really exciting and a lot of fun,” Borum said. “Then me and my twin just started playing as well, and that was a lot of fun. So just something that has happened throughout my family that I definitely wanted to continue.”

Off the court, Berkley described Borum as a “goofy, fun person to be around.” Outside of athletics, Borum is currently pursuing a degree in elementary education, and is considering sticking to education, or possibly pursuing a coaching career. Wherever she ends up, she wants to work with youth in one way or another. 

When asked about what piece of advice Borum would give her future self, she said it’s important to soak up every moment. 

“That it’ll all be okay, and it does go really fast,” Borum said. “I know my freshman first semester, I was really uncertain with what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be in everything. And then, looking back, I cannot believe four years ago, has almost already gone by. So just like taking in every moment the good and the bad is definitely a big thing.”

The Ramblers will stay home for their next match against Saint Louis University on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. in Gentile Arena. This will be the third match of conference play for the Ramblers where they hope to continue moving towards conference champions.