Edelman's Leadership Helps CU Thrive

If today's Nicole Edelman could say one thing to her younger self, it would be this:

“Keep pushing for more, and be patient with yourself.”

The senior setter's career at the University of Colorado officially began on August 24, 2012. Over 4,000 assists later, she has only a few weeks left in a Buffaloes volleyball uniform.

On the court this season, Edelman calls the shots. Despite splitting time with sophomore Gabby Simpson at the net in 2014 and briefly continuing that 6-2 offensive strategy this year, she is now the lone decision maker in the frontcourt. With attack options like senior Alexis Austin, Gabby Simpson, and sophomore Anna Pfefferle, Edelman has options no matter where the pass comes from.

But what does it mean to assist, really?

“I see it as 'bettering the ball',” Edelman said. “A lot of the time you do get a perfect pass and it's great, and you have all your options, and you can give your hitter a good chance to score. But if it's not, I have to work to make sure those hitters still get the same look no matter what. It comes down to my mental game and decision making in the moment.”

In sport, the concept of teamwork is commonly applied to life outside the Coors Events Center. For someone who spends her time setting others up for success, Edelman is trained to always seek her best option.

“I apply that idea to my life by trying to get better, everyday, at everything I do. In the classroom I push myself, I take hard classes, I do the double major, and I always just add things to my plate, but it's a part of bettering myself. And I like to think that I help others get better in the process.”

After this weekend's match against the University of Arizona, the Buffs have two weeks of Pac-12 play before NCAA tournament play begins. Edelman's seniority not only calls her to savor her remaining sets as a Buffs, but also to gear less experienced players up for the long haul.

“In November, it's harder for the younger players to keep going, because they're used to a high school season which ended a few weeks ago at this point. So, especially after tough losses, which happen in the Pac-12 all the time, it really is about resetting and refocusing and making sure there aren't outside distractions or a drop in confidence levels,” she said.

Colorado's current record of 15-12 reflects close victories, hard losses, and no signs of a team coasting on autopilot. Part of maintaining confidence in such a season is not only about taking constructive ownership of errors, but also overcoming a perfectionistic attitude to appreciate successes.

Edelman maintains that there is always time to improve, even when your NCAA eligibility clock is ticking down to zero. The ultra-competitive Pac-12 can be a wearisome gauntlet on the volleyball court --the Buffs are 7-8 against conference opponents—and five matches are still left to be conquered. For Edelman, there isn't much time to relish milestones like her 4,000^th assist last Saturday. She wasn't aware of the statistic until after the match, and still hasn't quite been able to enjoy it.

“I think my accomplishments will sink in more when I'm completely done, but for right now my mind is still in the grind of the season.”