Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

As I look back on these past years at Saint Mary’s, I realize just how fast time has gone.  It seems like just yesterday I was a sophomore stepping on this court for the first time, and here I am three years later writing my Senior Salute. I have had so many amazing experiences here at Saint Mary’s, on the court and off.  I have met so many amazing people along the way, and I am so grateful for what they all have done for me.  So I’m going to warn you there are a lot of thank-you’s to be said, so I apologize in advance for the length of them all!

First and foremost I want to thank my parents, I wouldn’t be anywhere close to where I am today without them.  Thank you for raising me in a gym, for letting me tag a long to each and every practice, even before I could walk.  Thank you for finding a way to send us to every camp imaginable, and driving us to practice in the cities four times a week, and making numerous trips to different states for tournaments. Thank you for paying all of those medical bills, and taking me to appointments just so I can keep playing! You have given up so much to allow us to have amazing opportunities.  I have grown up watching how much time you put in to everything; I know that I got my drive and motivation from the both of you.  You have changed so many lives for the better, and have made such an impact on your athletes and students, and I can only hope that someday I will make half of the impact you have made.  Mom, thank you for always pushing me to be better, never allowing me to quit or settle. I know you lost one of our best friends this last year, and I know it was incredibly hard on you, but yet you still were their for me as my support. You are one of my best friends, someone I can turn to for anything, thank you for always being there. Dad, thank you for putting up with all of our volleyball talk at home and for always pushing me to become faster and stronger; you are one of the strongest men I know. I have watched you go through so much- and you always go through it with your head held high, I admire that about you. Some people wonder how we all stayed sane going from one season to the next as a family, but I am so thankful I was able to do that. You guys pushed us to be the best athletes, and the best people we can be, and I am so grateful for that.

Ash and Kels, thank you for always being there, we always stayed up way too late talking about games and life.  Ash- I am so glad we got the opportunity to play with each other in high school; you are one heck of an athlete.  I’ve always been jealous of your skills and natural athletic ability.  We have always been extremely competitive, but I know it has helped me become the athlete I am, you pushed me to always be on my game! Kels- I cannot believe you are already a junior in high school! Even though you’re the youngest, I look up to you, I have always said that you act much more mature than your age, and I think that is amazing.  I cannot wait to see what you do in these next few years, I know you will have a college career as a setter/ds if you want it — remember to follow your heart! I’m so proud of you both, and I’m glad I have sisters I can also call my friends!

Ryan, I know what I am about to say may get you fined, but well, I don’t care! You’ve been there from the beginning, always a supporter and a motivator. You have a way of challenging me that always pushes me to be a better person or athlete in the end. We have gone through so much together these past six years, and it has always made us stronger. You are the most amazing person I know, for what you have gone through and how you have handled it all; I truly have no idea how you’re still going on with your life.  I’m so lucky to have met a guy like you, I couldn’t have found anyone better to spend the rest of my life with. You truly are my best friend, and make me a better person, and I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for us.

Grandma and Grandpa Tonsager, I know that my mom gets a lot of her motivation from you two.  You never stop moving, and you always are striving to get better and do better. You have raised an amazing family, I can only hope to raise a family with the strength and grace that you both have.  Grandma, you are one of my best friends- I know that I could talk to you about anything and get great advice. I look up to you both, more than you will ever know.

Grandma Cherwinka, you are a strong women, who never waivers in times of fear.  You stood by Grandpa always having faith that he would get better, and I admire that more than you know. Grandpa Cherwinka, man you were a tough cookie, I know where my Dad gets it from! You never gave up, and you told me something that will always stick with me, Quitters never win and Winners never Quit.  You never quit, and you are part of the reason why I never will Quit, you taught me to never let anyone get you down, that I am the only one who can decide how I feel.  I miss you so much, and thank you for all you have taught me.

All of my aunts and uncles and cousins, I wish I could thank each and every one of you individually, but I know if I tried to do that, I would add another 5 pages onto this book.  I love that our family always puts each other first before themselves.  We have all had a pretty tough year, and have received nothing but support and love from all of you.  THANK YOU!

Archambaults, we have gotten so much closer in the past year, I cannot wait to be a part of your family soon. Dan and Scott, I know I am going to be picked on like a little sister, but it will be worth it! Melia, you are the older sister I never had, I am so fortunate to be blessed with a sister in law like you!  You are always giving me advice and support; I cannot wait to see what the future brings for our families! Keith, you are such a strong person with so much wisdom. You once told me in high school, that at the end of the game if you are proud of the way you played, if you gave it your all, with no regrets, than you should be happy.  That has stuck with me, and I thank you for always taking the time to make me feel a part of your family.  Sharon, you faced every battle, every up hill climb with courage and bravery; never giving up.   I first met you when I was 13, I have always thought of you as a second mom. I have never heard you speak an unkind word about anyone.  You had no enemies, and treated everyone with respect. You have showed me the type of person that I want to be as I grow up.   You and Keith raised 3 amazing boys, who had the utmost respect for you, I am not sure how we will make it through life without you, but I am so blessed to have a guardian angel like you on my side.  I miss you.

All of my friends, you guys have also given us nothing but support.  We are so lucky to be surrounded by all of you, and we never could have gotten through all of this without you.  Jenn, thank you for listening to all of my venting and talking about volleyball- you’re probably going to be glad you don’t’ have to hear about this anymore! You have taught me so much about life, and about being myself, you’re an amazing friend, I am so luck to have you.  Dusty and Devin, thank you both for always giving me constant support, and always being there for me; I couldn’t ask for any better friends! Sara, Erin, Nina, David, Sam, Dj, Lizzy, Marie- you guys are all amazing, and I love St. Mary’s so much because of you!

My teammates, we are with each other everyday for four months, and I couldn’t ask for any better girls.  My fellow seniors, we have been through a lot together, many ups and downs, and we are finally at the end of the road. Court, I have said this all year, you and I are in this together, no matter what happens.  When I need someone to just look to for a calming answer- I look to you! You always have a random line that makes me laugh. I couldn’t have asked for a better co-captain.  Jess I have always been in awe of that vertical you have, and I have always thought the most of you, you are an amazing athlete and I am so fortunate to have played next to you all of these years.  Pam, I have always been in amazed of your drive, you are not a quitter, you are a team player, one in which I have learned a lot from.

Kujak, my favorite feeling is putting the ball into your hands and hearing a big BOOM- you have so much talent, even when you do the splits or randomly fall, you find a way to make it look graceful! Erica you are that energizing bunny that I always look to when I’m getting down, you are a strong girl with an amazing personality, I have loved having you as a teammate but more importantly as a friend. Welley you are the most genuine person I have ever met. You treat people without judgment, and I look up to you so much for that. I would never guessed with your calming personality that you crush the ball and jump out of the house! Harstad- from the first day I saw you play volleyball, I couldn’t believe how athletic you were.  Your built like a brick house, and your such a versatile player, you can pass, you can hit, you can play middle, outside, you can do anything! And besides all of that you’re a genius and have an amazing personality to boot. Rach- I have always been jealous of your hands, you have the most beautiful setting hands I have ever seen! You are a great volleyball player with an amazing personality! Mate- man can you swing! You are a great volleyball player, and I cannot wait to watch and see what you do next year! Sarah G- you are one heck of an athlete, the swings you put on the ball are amazing! You can do anything, and I am so lucky to have played with you- you always have my back, and I always have yours! Carissa, you are so incredibly talented and one of the smartest volleyball players I have watched, you can see any spot, and hit it. Not to mention you have a wicked serve, You are going to be one heck of a volleyball player! Bree, holy cow can you hit, your arm swing is deadly! The first time I saw you hit a ball, I thought wow, she is going to do big things someday, and I cant wait to watch what you do! Tara, you have such a spunky personality, I am so glad that we were able to room with each other every time! You may never want to stand next to me in a huddle but I still love you! Cathy, you kick all of our butts in basketball, but don’t you forget who taught you how to play that game! Next year when new freshmen come in, don’t tell them about all of those secrets- and kick their butts too! Megan (aka marge) you’re the first person I peppered with before the season even started- and I knew we were going to get a long! You have an amazing personality, and you have so much potential to do great things! I can’t wait to come back and watch what you do, and listen to that laugh!

Last but not least, Lindsey, we have gone though so much together, many good and bad times, and you are a person who has stood by me through it all.  Offering constant support no matter when or what I needed it for. I wouldn’t be the person, and athlete I am without you.  You always pushed me to be better, as a person and as an athlete. I have never met someone with your drive and work ethic; you are always aspiring to be better.  Even when people may not notice it, you continue to get better for yourself, I admire that quality about you more than you could ever imagine. I have no idea what I would do without a friend like you, you are one of the most amazing people I know. Next year is going to be tough, but I am sure we will be jabbering to each other ALL of the time.  

Carol and T, you guys created an amazing environment for me here.  From the minute I met you two, I knew I wanted to be the leaders that you guys were to me. You guys were greatly missed this year.

Coach Lester, Thank you for giving up a lot of time for this program.  I know how much you do inside and outside of the season, and I can’t imagine how much work it is.  I appreciate you giving up those late nights and weekends to put up with 20 girls instead of being at home with your family.  Jodie, Jaxon, Jadyn, thank you for giving up your husband/dad to us, I know its tough and I thank your for that.  Tessa, thank you for always being honest with me, and for pushing me to be better.  I know you put in many late nights as well, and I appreciate all that you do for this program, I am so glad I got the opportunity to have you as a coach. Ashley, thank you for coming and helping whenever you could. Whenever I needed help, I knew I could come to you and you would always find a way to break it down to me.  You’re going to be a great mom, and I can’t wait to see what a great person and athlete your child will be, just like their mom. Nikki, thank you for always believing in our program and for the constant support at games! Donny, thanks for keeping the website up to date, you are great at what you do!

To all of our fans, parents and professors, we couldn’t get through those 5 game matches, or any match for that matter without your support! You guys are amazing, thank you!

I have gone through so much here at SMU, good and bad.  I made it through some of the toughest times last year because I had such a strong support system here.  I never thought I could learn so much about myself, and life in four short years of college, but I have learned more than I could ever imagine. I’ve learned that with every year passing you’ll find friends worth having. I’ve learned when we win to remember to stay humble.  I have learned that if you make an effort to smile more than you grumble will get you through those long days. I have learned that there are going to be things that we will go through in life that are going to test your faith, but whatever your going through there are people around you to help, don’t be afraid to use them.  

I can’t believe that after all of the hard work, after all of that constant lifting and running that this phase of my life is coming to a close.  I will never forget the many hours that were spent in this gym, and I am so thankful I was given this opportunity one in which I will never forget.