Hall of Honor: Voigt's talent and work ethic transform Pioneer Volleyball culture

Anika Voigt is a superlative representation of what Wayland Baptist Volleyball seeks from their players. Her desire to win, unequivocal work ethic, and expectations of greatness from everyone around her made Voigt a trail-blazer for the Pioneer Volleyball program.
 
Voigt, a Potsdam, Germany native, helped guide the Pioneer Volleyball team in the 2007-2011 seasons.
 
"I'm very thankful I got to study and represent a University full of heart and open arms. We all truly worked together," said Voigt when reflecting on her time as a Pioneer.
 
Voigt led the Pioneers to three straight Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament appearances from 2008-2010, including helping her 2008 squad win the Pioneers' first Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Championship since 1997.
 
Voigt wasted no time providing an early impact to the Pioneer Volleyball team. As a freshman setter, Voigt earned Second Team All-Sooner Athletic Conference. She followed up in 2008 as a sophomore by once again earning Second Team All-Sooner Athletic Conference honors and SAC Tournament MVP, becoming the first Pioneer to earn that designation. With her contribution, the Pioneers earned the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament Championship that year.
 
Voigt was recruited to Wayland Baptist by current volleyball head coach and Wayland Baptist Athletic Director Jim Giacomazzi. "Before she came to Wayland Baptist University, the volleyball team was struggling to be competitive. Only a couple of winning seasons. She brought focus, intensity, and a high work ethic for herself, but she held others to a high standard," said Coach Giacomazzi.
 
Voigt continued becoming one of the most feared players in the Sooner Athletic Conference when she earned First Team All-Sooner Athletic Conference recognition and AVCA Honorable Mention All-American during her junior season in 2009.
 
After her senior season in 2010, Voigt received national recognition for her dominating play - earning NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, First Team All-Sooner Athletic Conference, SAC All-Tournament Team, and AVCA All-Region recognition.
 
Voigt etched her name in the Pioneer Volleyball record books after setting program records in assists and digs. Voigt concluded her Pioneer career as the program's all-time leader in career assists with 4,199 and career digs with 1,711.
 
Voigt came to the Pioneers during a rough season for the volleyball program which was struggling to stay competitive. However, her instant impact transformed the way the program was perceived. Voigt brought an immense amount of focus and intensity to the court every time she stepped out there.
 
"Before she came to Wayland Baptist University, the volleyball team was struggling to be competitive. Only a couple of winning seasons. She brought focus, intensity, and a high work ethic for herself, but she held others to a high standard," said Coach Giacomazzi.
 
 
Voigt takes great pride in her intense work ethic, and that work ethic was contagious to the rest of her teammates. The high standards she placed on herself, and others changed the culture and mentality of the Wayland Baptist Volleyball program.
 
"I wasn't always the most patient on the court, I am very competitive in fact. Look back now I wish I would have been less hard on myself, my expectations, and everyone around me, but learning and developing takes time," said Voigt referencing how demanding she was as a player, which ultimately led to many successes for the Pioneers.
 
Coach Giacomazzi continued, "At first, it took some players on the team a little time to get used to her, but she changed the culture and mentality. She showed others what hard work and talent could do to change the outcome of a team."
 
"I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to live what we call the "American Dream" for a few years, and to experience another culture and different ways of thinking," said Voigt.