Jessica Bids Farewell

It’s hard to believe that my volleyball career is finally coming to a close. I’ve always dreaded writing this, because it really means that the final season is coming to an end. I’ve been playing volleyball for 10 years now, almost half my life, so it’s hard to imagine what it’s going to be like once it’s all over. Volleyball has been such a huge part of my life and it has taught me so much. It has taught me a lot about teamwork and it has made me a better person by teaching me how to shake of my mistakes. I would be a completely different person if I had not played volleyball.

I would like to take the time to thank a few people who have been there for me throughout my volleyball career. First and most importantly, I would like to thank my mom. She has always supported me in my decisions on and off the court, most of all in allowing me to play at a club that was half an hour away with practice 3 or 4 days a week and with countless tournaments all over the country. Thank you for always attending whatever games you could possibly come to. It was nice to know there would usually be a familiar face cheering me on in the stands. Thank you for always coming to games and tournaments prepared with delicious baked goods or the best grapes ever. I appreciate it and I know the rest of the team appreciated always having something to munch on in between games. Bob-thank you for basically funding my volleyball career. None of this would have been possible without that.

I would also like to thank Grammy for always supporting my volleyball career. You have come to as many games as you could, living so much farther away. You also would watch as many games online that you could. Thank you for always being so energetic in the stands; it helps the team get excited and it’s also entertaining for the fans sitting around you.

Dad and Gale — thank you for doing what you could to support me in my volleyball career. I know it’s hard to get out here to see me play, so thank you for coming to what you could.

Thanks to all my past and present teammates here at SMU. This team has been like a second family to me for these four years and I am so glad I chose to come to SMU because of you guys.

T and Carol — thank you for being such good role models for us and for welcoming us to the team as freshmen. JLars, Court, and Pam — you guys were always great role models for us too, and there was never a dull moment when you were around. I miss all of you guys a lot and the team doesn’t seem the same without you. Ku — thanks for having the best motivational speeches I have ever heard and for always bringing some humor to the team by your clumsiness. Erika — thank you for being there for me for the past few years, we have suffered through some tough bio classes together and it always helps to have someone there to suffer along with and help you through it.

To the sophomores — Cathy, Meg, Tara, Bree, and Carissa — you five have been such a good addition to the team. You all bring great talents and qualities to our team and I will miss seeing all of your dancing in the locker room and before games, especially Tara who always seems to have a new dance move for every song that comes on. The freshies: Lexi and Bunz- I am so glad you two decided to come and be a part of our team at SMU. You have made such a great addition to our team and fit right in with our goofiness. I’m sad that I only get to spend one year with you guys, but I know you two will do great in your volleyball career here.

And now for my fellow seniors; We have been through a lot together as a group and I couldn’t think of better girls to have played all four years with. Lindsey — thanks for always having a positive attitude on and off the court. We have also suffered through some killer bio classes together and it always helped to have our study sessions together with our taco bell runs. Thanks for always being there for me to talk about things too. You have had such an influence on all of us and I will miss you so much after this year. I will definitely miss our giggle fits during spring season when we couldn’t stop laughing and coach would get mad at us. And who am I going to pepper with once this year is done?" Sarah — thank you for always being my competition on the team. You gave me that drive to be better because I always wanted to keep up with how many kills you get every game. You are an amazing volleyball player and I am thankful I was able to play with you for these four years at SMU. Harstad — thanks for always being such a great team player, even if you didn’t get to play that often until this year; you have always had a positive attitude. I will miss our chats in LaSalle we’ve had this year, it’s nice to have someone to talk about stuff with some nights. Welly — I will miss your perfect handwriting on the chalkboard in the locker room. Thank you for always being a calming force on the team. No matter what the situation you seemed to always have a calm and positive attitude. Rach — I will miss your bubbliness and your persistent attitude on the court. You have always worked hard in practice and have such good hands. Britt — you have had such an impact on this team and on the program. I am always amazed at how you find the right things to say in the huddles and you always know how to fire us up. I don’t know who could ever replace you. I love how I can always trust you to give me a good set to put the ball away with. You will be greatly missed after this season.

I would also like to thank all of my coaches. To my high school coaches: Coach B, Wallin, and Coach Kull — you all have taught me so much about the game of volleyball that really prepared me to play at the collegiate level. Thank you for always believing in me and pushing me to become a better player. Coach Lester — I am so glad I decided to come play for you and this program. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. You have taught me so much and I want to thank you for always expecting more from me and pushing me to be the best I can be. I will miss playing for this program and seeing Jadyn and Jaxon after the games. They have grown so much in these past four years and are amazing children. Tessa — you always know how to light a fire under our butts during matches and you can out-sass me any day. You have also taught me a lot and I thank you for always pushing me to do things better on the court. I will miss you and your spunk at practice. Ashley — you always bring so much knowledge of the game to practice. Thanks for always being our fill-in middle at practice and always challenging us on the court to become better players. Rhode — you have been such a great addition to the coaching staff. You know so much about the game of volleyball and know just the right advice to give me about what to do on the court. I will miss your awesome jokes and your sense of humor.

Lars — Even though you’ve only been here for this season, you have been such a huge support for me. Thank you for being there for me when I was struggling and when I was doing well. I can’t thank you enough for making that six-hour drive multiple times to come see me and watch me play volleyball.

I would also like to thank the fans for continually coming out to the games and supporting us throughout the season. It means a lot when all of you show up and cheer us on.

I can’t believe that this part of my life is coming to a close. I will never forget how sore we all were during every preseason and the countless hours spent in this gym with these girls. I am so thankful to have been able to play for this program (and injury free thankfully) and I will never forget my time spent here.