Mother Of The Pride

Isabella Bareford of the LMU women’s volleyball team received a text to see how she did on her test in school. She may have received a similar text from her parents, but this text came from her teammate, Kari Geissberger.

Leadership comes in many forms, and often a leader in collegiate athletics is somebody primarily focused on winning in competition. Geissberger leads her team on the court, but also brings so much more for the Lions. 

Affectionately known as the “mother” of the team, Geissberger does everything she can to be there for her teammates. Whether it be planning events to make the incoming freshmen feel welcome, making sure everybody received their postgame meal or just a simple text to see how a test went. Geissberger cares about how her team is doing in all facets of life besides volleyball. 

“I feel really confident in myself that I love being that leader on and off the court,” Geissberger said. “I’m always checking in on everybody. I love being there for my teammates. That’s one of my favorite things about volleyball.”

Volunteerism runs deep for Geissberger going back to her days at Marin Catholic High School in Northern California. She donated her time for several different organizations during her high school tenure.

“My grandfather was a very giving person,” Geissberger said. “He had a lot in his life, so he would do everything he could to give back to his community. He did a lot with the Hanna Boys Center, and he started his own dentistry and teachings. My parents are also very giving people, so I really grew up in that culture to give back.”

Her favorite community service act involved mentoring players at her old club team Absolute Volleyball. Crediting the coaches with the club for getting her where she is today as a Division I volleyball student-athlete, Geissberger helps the club team whenever she’s able to. The family tradition continues with Absolute Volleyball, as well, as her younger brother, Ryan, is currently in the program. 

No doubt the athletes at Absolute Volleyball benefit from Geissberger’s involvement just as her Lions are currently enjoying her leadership. 

“She makes everybody feel welcome and included,” said LMU volleyball senior Sam Hastings. “She brings everybody together in bonding. She’s the driver, the leader in having that important team bonding time outside of practice. When I joined the team last season, she made me feel so comfortable and at ease. I had never felt so welcomed before in a new environment.” 

While in high school, Geissberger also volunteered her time at Bacich Elementary School, a school that her mother, Krista, worked at. Geissberger assisted in the classrooms and the office, helping the teachers and the students. 

“I love working with kids,” Geissberger said. “It brings me so much joy. When I have that extra time, I’d rather be giving back.”

Geissberger has also spread the game of volleyball to kids, and potential future volleyball players, as well. She worked with her dad, John, and implementing a volleyball program through the Albany Police Activities League in Albany, Calif. The program was designed to teach kids the simple basics of the game of volleyball. 

Another endeavor Geissberger enjoyed while in high school involved spending time at the Windchime Memory Care Center. A retirement home, Geissberger and one of her high school volleyball teammates taught the patrons of the center there how to play “sitting volleyball.” A game that allowed the senior citizens to enjoy volleyball in a way that was easier on their bodies and helped them get their exercise for the day in a new and fun way. 

Though most of her volunteerism has occurred during her time in high school, Geissberger has extended the helping hand to those in need while at LMU. 

The Lions worked with Team Impact to “adopt” a little girl with a disability as a member of the team during the 2022 season. Geissberger was the organizer and main communicator to make sure she felt welcome as a part of the program every time she came to visit. 

“She rallied everybody together, opened up that whole world to us,” Hastings said. “Kari encourages us to step outside of our comfort zone. She’d come to our practices or games, and Kari was always the first one to spend a lot of time with her. She was so happy whenever Kari walked in the room. It made her day. It changed her world a little bit in the best way.”

So accustomed to always being there for others, there have been times when Geissberger needed help herself. A source of that strength for her has been Bareford. The two entered the program together as freshmen during the Covid-19 pandemic, and have been through all the highs and lows of being a collegiate student-athlete together. 

Geissberger calls Bareford her “rock.” 

“You can always count on Kari to keep it light and fun during stressful moments,” Bareford said. “She’s embraced that during her time here. We lean on each other a lot through the process. We’ve been able to be together through the good times and the bad times.”

A two-time WCC all-conference team selection and 2022 AVCA All-American, Geissberger wants to continue playing volleyball as long as she can, but once her playing days are over, she intends on coaching the game she loves. A new way for her to give her time to help those around her. 

Catch Geissberger and the Lions tomorrow when they face Pacific at 7 p.m. in L.A. Fans can watch the match on ESPN+