In the peaceful environment of Gallaudet University’s gym, the air is filled with cheers and the rhythmic thud of volleyballs against the wood floor as the women’s volleyball team conducts its practice. This team, predominantly composed of deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes, is under the guidance of a deaf head coach, and is gearing up for the Division III NCAA Tournament. This season marks a significant accomplishment for the players, who utilize American Sign Language (ASL) for communication, navigating a sport that commonly depends on verbal cues.
“People might think we’re trying to confuse the opposition with our signs,” shared senior middle hitter Jada Zarembka through an interpreter in ASL. “But that’s just how we communicate. If people want to perceive it as a tactic to distract them, so be it.”
This remarkable team boasts an impressive 30-4 record, having claimed their second consecutive United East Conference title, and they are on a remarkable 22-match winning streak leading into their tournament opener on Thursday. The Bison have gone an entire month without losing a set, achieving consecutive 30-win seasons for the first time under coach Lynn Ray Boren, who has been at the helm for nearly two decades.
Volleyball holds significant appeal within the Deaf community due to its emphasis on visual interaction, as evidenced by the banners that hang proudly in the field house celebrating past conference victories. The last time Gallaudet secured a win in the NCAA Tournament was in 2006, but a successful run this week in Newport News, Virginia, could propel the team to the Elite Eight for the first time ever.
The team’s success is attributed to strategic recruiting, including a couple of transfer players, and a recent international trip that allowed the team members to bond both on and off the court, while enhancing their signing skills. Coach Boren noted, “In our practices throughout the year, we prioritize visual communication, and other teams are often unprepared to face us.” Most teams rely heavily on audible signals during gameplay, particularly for middle hitters and setters. Gallaudet’s unique approach adds a different dynamic.
Gallaudet stands out as a Division III leader in service aces and ranks second in aces per set, as well as third in hitting percentage. The integration of setter Ella Gamble and outside hitter Brielle Worley has been transformative, as both players transitioned from hearing teams where they often felt overlooked.
Worley’s journey also led her through Division I North Texas and UT-Tyler before finally landing at Gallaudet. “Using verbal communication in past teams was a challenge due to my hearing difficulties. Learning to sign fluently here made communication feel organic,” said Worley, who is also hard of hearing but can speak. “There was no need to create unnecessary noise as I felt in my previous teams. It’s really become a much more authentic fit for me.”
This unique communication style allows Gallaudet to operate smoothly, with players on opposing teams often unfamiliar with ASL. Senior outside hitter Cassidy Perry emphasized how this nonverbal communication aids their gameplay. “We can provide swift cues to each other, whether we’re digging the ball or setting it up, we can communicate seamlessly,” Perry shared through ASL. “While hearing teams rely on verbal interactions, we communicate through sign language.”
Perry recalled a pivotal meeting at the start of the season emphasizing letting go of past failures, whereas participation in the World Deaf Volleyball Championship in Japan, where the team finished with a silver medal, solidified their cohesion. “That trip truly helped us bond,” Gamble noted. “It proved we could compete at a high level, and this confidence propelled us into the season with remarkable trust and chemistry.”
Zarembka agrees, feeling the strong connections forged among teammates during this extraordinary season. “We’ve created fantastic memories and celebrated a lot of victories that will stay with me forever,” she reflected. “This experience has been truly unique, and I know I will miss the team dearly when the season concludes.”