Hulstein and Boersma overcome high school rivarly as teammates

Kate Boersma and Rylee Hulstein are the only two seniors on the Northwestern volleyball team. They’ve spent the past four years playing together and becoming good friends.
But that doesn’t mean they’ve always liked each other’s company.
Boersma and Hulstein attended different local high schools, Hull Western Christian and Sioux Center, respectively, and recognized each other as top players. That led to the future teammates being rivals on the volleyball court.
“It was always like ‘I see you over there,’” Boersma said, narrowing her eyes, then laughing. “We just didn’t get along.”
But they always seemed to have a connection, one that extended beyond the United States borders.
“[My family] was on a trip to Mexico,” Boersma said. “On the way back to the airport, we stopped at another resort, and the whole Hulstein family walked onto the bus. We looked at each other like ‘ugh, the Hulsteins,’ and ‘ugh, the Buyerts’ [Boersma’s maiden name].”
As juniors, the two became friendly playing for the same club team.
“We actually got to know each other, rather than just seeing each other on the other side of the net,” Hulstein said.
But apparently, Hulstein and her teammates weren’t quite ready to truly befriend Boersma yet.
“I later found out they all carpooled and never told me about it,” Boersma said. “Thanks guys.”
Once they arrived at NW, the two became good friends, and during their younger years, the Raiders were very strong in the GPAC, making nationals three seasons in a row. Unfortunately, during their sophomore season, the Raiders played without Boersma, who had blown an ACL.
“I did a vertical jump test, went up, came down, and that was that,” Boersma said. “I had never been injured before, so I had trouble understanding it. But I got through it, and now I’m a senior, and I’m old.”
When asked what she will miss most about volleyball, Hulstein had an answer readily available.
“Just playing the game,” Hulstein said. “I love playing the game. I really love passing. Starting the play off right is really important.”
Boersma’s future plans, however, will hopefully still include volleyball.
“Since I tore my ACL, I actually have another year of (redshirt) eligibility,” Boersma said. “Technically I could play if I want to. But if I decide not to play, I’ll apply for a student coaching job. I’ll either be playing or coaching next year.”
As a young NW team finishes the regular season, the Raiders look to win the conference tournament and make it to the national tournament again.
They’ll be looking to the senior tandem of Boersma and Hulstein for leadership one more time.