Tressa Gustafson

By Jude Harder
UWRF Sports Information

Tressa Gustafson gained valuable experience last season as an outside hitter, but this year her duties are going to be primarily targeted on the defensive side of the game.

Gustafson is a very gifted passer and defensive force for the Falcons. Her versatility and exceptional communication skills will significantly upgrade a Falcon defense that struggled last season.

"We are looking for Tressa to guide the defense this year and to be a super sub off the bench," said Head Coach Patti Ford. "She will be taking on the hardest job of any of my seniors."

Ford feels that Gustafson's best strengths as a player are her steadiness and reliability on the court as a defender and passer and also her exceptional communication skills with her teammates.

"She is a great communicator, she is always talking and keeping the game alive," said Ford.

Gustafson's No. 1 goal this year is to do all she can to maintain positive energy for the team. "I try to create positive energy on the court and make my teammates feel comfortable around me," said Gustafson.

Gustafson is really looking forward to the contributions she can make to the team as a super sup this season.

"Being a super sub this year is going to take a lot of pressure off our defense. When someone is struggling in the back row, I'm glad that I can be the person who our defense can rely on to get us back on track," said Gustafson.

As an outside hitter and team captain last season, Gustafson achieved career-highs with 153 kills, 331 digs and 37 aces.

In 2006, Gustafson is aiming to repeat the success she had as a super sub in 2004 when she was awarded the team's Falcon Super Sub Award.

Gustafson's team goals this season are to win the WIAC title and to take out the defending Div. III champion, UW-Whitewater.

On a roster consisting of nine freshmen, Gustafson is really looking forward to her role as a leader this season.

"I'm looking to be a role model and to be somebody that the underclassmen can look up to," said Gustafson.

Tressa is the daughter of Tom and Sandy Gustafson. Her sister, Cara, was a two-time All-American volleyball player for the Falcons in 1995 and 1996.

Gustafson began playing volleyball in sixth grade and later went on to star at North Branch High School. Gustafson earned all-conference honors at North Branch and also earned the team's Most Spirited and Most Improved awards in 2002.

She is majoring in marketing communications and has a minor in speech communications. She hopes to one day work in sports marketing. A couple of her favorite teams that she would like to work for are the St. Paul Saints and the Minnesota Twins.

As a part-time job, Gustafson would also love to be involved in coaching youth volleyball.

Her hobbies include swimming, scrap booking, roller blading, shopping and reading poetry.