All lright everyone, bear with me here! I’m a natural talker and since they’re asking me to write this salute about a sport that has been a big part of my life for the last 10 years, there’s a lot that needs to be said ... .
My first time playing volleyball was in 7th grade. It’s funny to think about all of the differences there were in the game back then. We had the alternate serving line as an option (WEAK!), everyone had the opportunity to play every position (except the setters of course), and it was side-out scoring up to 15. I really have no recollection of how successful my teams were in middle school, but ever since my freshman year of high school I feel that I have been a part of teams that can be proud of the strides and accomplishments that were made within a season and throughout my career as a part of that team.
I’m not really sure who actually convinced me to start playing volleyball when I was in 7th grade, but I’m going to take a wild stab and say it was some of my closest friends. So I want to thank them for giving me the initial thoughts to play and introducing me to this awesome game. But I really want to thank my parents more than anything for giving me the confidence to believe that I am capable of doing anything that I set my mind to – not just in volleyball, but in every aspect of my life. I can imagine that I was hesitant to play as a seventh grader just because my friends wanted me to, but I know my parents told me to do what I wanted and that if I did decide to play that it would be something fun and new to try.
Mom and Dad – Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for supporting me in all of my athletic endeavors over the years! You both have spent so many hours to make sure I could be a happy and successful athlete. I’m sure there was a big sigh of relief when I finally had my driver’s license, so that you guys no longer had to shuttle me to and from practices and bus rides and deal with the frustrating communication errors that happened periodically (aka – probably every day!). Thank you for coming to every game and tournament possible! Dad – you always joke about how my poor performances were on the days when you couldn’t make it to a game because my #1 fan wasn’t there, but there is a lot of truth in that. It means the world to me when I see both of you in the stands. I know I was and can still be just a bear after some bad practices or games, but I’m thankful that you guys have built a callus to my attitude in those moments and realize that I still love you both very much!
Josh - Thanks for towing me around with you and your friends even when I was a pain-in-the-butt little sister. I know your friends thought I was cool ;) , but I think I owe some of my athleticism to the fact that I was always able to play with you and your friends. I guess you’re an ok brother. I mean I would maybe trade you, but… on most days probably not. Love you big bro!
Nicole, aka honorary senior — I’m so glad that we were able to find each other again after our separation at birth! I still think our parents aren’t telling us something… but anyways. Thanks for coming and supporting me at every home game! I think you and my dad need to deck it out from my #1 fan label. You are more than my best friend. You truly are the sister I’ve never had. I love you girl!
Hannah – Thanks for always supporting me and my team from afar! I never have to update you because you’re always checking online! I miss you every day and love that when we’re reunited it’s like nothing has changed! I’m really glad that you didn’t listen to all of the other girls who told you that I didn’t like you in 7th grade! I would have been missing my other best friend and sister! Love you!
Coach and Rick – Thanks for giving me a chance to be a part o f this team my freshman year, even when I was probably playing the worst volleyball of my life (sad, but true ha, ha). Thank you for seeing my potential and knowing a better player was hiding in me.
Coach – Thank you for dedicating such a big part of your life to this sport and team. I love hearing your stories when we have to take those awful vans to tournaments! They are very interesting and entertaining! I have learned a lot about this game from you and will be forever grateful. The passion you have for us as a team says a lot about the love you have for your job as a coach. I hope to have the same passion for my job some day!
Rick – I know you’re not here anymore, but I want to thank you for recruiting me to Saint Mary’s. I love this school, the people here, and this team, and without you recruiting me to this awesome place, four years of my life could have been drastically different.
Tessa, Tessa, Tessa – I remember hearing stories about you before I had even met you. It’s a good thing that I’m a fairly open-minded person and didn’t let those stories scare me or, I would have missed out on getting to know you. Thank you for giving me confidence in my abilities and the necessary mindset I need to be a fierce competitor. I really do appreciate all of the time you (and Ross) have spent helping me academically, as well. So thank you! I’m looking forward to the day when we can be friends on Facebook! Haha — Later Mrs. WAGNILD!
Ashley – Your natural athleticism is always fun to play with and againstin practice. Thank you so much for really stepping in and advising me when I had to play middle last year! Your help is what made me better. Thank you, also, for following and supporting me in track! I can’t wait to see what kind of athlete Damien turns out to be!
Rhode – It’s too bad we only have this one season together, but I’m glad I’ve gotten the opportunity to have you as a coach. I think you bring a new perspective about the game to our team (aka St. Thomas’ secrets, ha, ha just kidding …) and those perspectives will only lead this team to continued success! Of course it would be the end of season when I’m finally able to tell when you’re joking or not.
It’s crazy how many similarities there are between my high school team and my SMU team. Both of my teams had great team chemistry and in my senior year of high school I also had seven seniors on my team. So… to my fellow seniors:
Brit – Oh mamma Brit! I’m really glad you decided to come back for another year! You are a great athlete with a very positive outlook on life. Because you have grown through your years at Saint Mary’s, you have made a lot of a life changing decisions, and I respect you for that. I love your free spirit and openness to try new things, and yet you still know what it takes to be committed to your loved ones and activities!
Lindsey – I don’t even think I can fit the words necessary to acknowledge what your friendship means to me into a whole book! I love our girl night chats! You are such a good listener and when I need some advice, I know who to go to! The hard work you put into every aspect of your life is something I admire about you!
Welly – I’m sorry Wels, but you’re never going to be Emily to me! Haha You are one of the most patient and level-headed persons I know. You’re such a great friend, Welly, and I’m so glad that we met through volleyball, because really I don’t think I would have gotten to know you otherwise. Yeah SE MN!
Sarah – You are crazy, but that’s why I love you! Ha, ha! I love watching you smoke the crap out of the ball and then get this cool, yet cocky (but good cocky) look on your face. It’s awesome! Ha, ha! You are one hell of a lefty, right side! I’m glad we got to be roommates for a year! Too many good memories!
Maters – First of all Mate, I’m so glad I know you because of volleyball and that we were able to build a friendship while living in vlaz together freshman year! Secondly, your hits that seem to find the tiniest whole in the block absolutely amaze me! I don’t think I would have every guessed it before I knew you, but you can be the biggest goof sometimes and it’s hilarious! Plus, all of your noises – priceless! Ha, ha
Rach – You are the biggest sweetheart! I’m glad we’ve become friends through volleyball! God gave you some great hands, Rach, and I love that I’ve gotten to hit off of them over the last few years! I admire your strength!
To the rest of my teammates:
Erika – I’m glad that we’ve known each other for long enough that no matter what nickname I call you, you just know when I’m talking to you on and off the court! Haha! I knew we were friends in high school, but I’m glad you decided to come to SMU. Our friendship has only grown!
KuJAK – I’m glad you’ve taken Court’s place and are my new pepper partner this year! We have our good and bad days of pepper, but its still fun! You are a great player, Ku. Just take care of yourself! And by that, I mean don’t trip when you’re walking down the street. ;) Ha, ha
Tara, Bri, Cathy, Meg, and Carissa – You are a funny group of girls. You bring a lot of personality to this team! And I mean a lot!! I know you guys must feel like you’re only sophomores and two years still seems like a lot of time, but it goes by really, really fast! Keep working hard both on and off the court!!
Lexi and Bunne — I’m so glad I’ve gotten to know the both of you over this season! You are both huge goons, with tons of talent and potential! Stick together and keep those sophomores in line ;) Lexi – please, please, please never stop being you. You crack me up every single day! Bunne – Like I told you before, I’m SOO glad you came in as a middle and saved me!! Keep working hard!!!
To my previous teammates:
T and Carolyn – You guys were awesome leaders for the two years I knew you. You were both so welcoming and made this team. You both brought so much energy, and it still feels like yesterday when you guys were here playing! I miss you both!
Court – You were, and this is no joke, my idol!! I miss your AMAZING digs where you would fly out from nowhere and pop up a perfect dig. Plus, you had some crazy hang time girl! I’m so grateful to this program for bringing us together. You’re such a great friend and I miss you every day! You moved WAY too far away! OTH date soon??
JLars – I don’t even know where to start with you girl! You are one of the physically smallest, but mentally biggest middles I have ever seen play! I’m deprived of your awesome slides… I need to see one again soon! Like Court, you also had some pretty sweet hang time! I miss you every day too! I’m so glad you’re still near by so that we can meet up periodically!
I have gotten to experience some awesome things as a member of the SMU volleyball team. We have traveled as a team for the last three years: freshman year we went to Washington D.C., sophomore year we traveled abroad to Greece (OPA! ?), and junior year we spent 4 priceless days together on our trip to the NCAA regional tournament in St. Louis, MO. There are some pretty sweet memories from all of those trips that will stay with me for the rest of my life!
I am so blessed to have been able to be a part of a team sport that has strengthened me as an individual and has brought so many important people into my life. Volleyball is an absolutely amazing team sport. Good teams consist of individuals that want the ball because they have an almost cocky confidence in their abilities, but when you step back and look at the team as a whole, there is no individual who portrays that selfish mindset. In my last four years at SMU I have learned to respect every single position more and more every year and have grown to love being an outside hitter more than anything.
I still can’t believe I’m a senior and that I have been at SMU playing some seriously competitive, collegiate volleyball for four years now. While it’s great to have an awesome record at the end of each season, I know that the hours spent at meals, bus rides, overnights, and heart-pounding match points that have brought us together as a team and built lasting friendships is what will stand out when I think back on my career as an athlete. The volleyball team was my family and home when I came in as a freshman, because it was the only thing I knew here, but nothing has changed. Sure I’ve met tons of new people on this campus, but the team still feels like my family. I love you guys! Let’s finish this season with a bang!! |
